In brief
Côte d’Ivoire will roll out a new pilot project aimed at the socio‑economic reintegration of returning migrants. The program, financed by roughly $3.5 million, will run for 18‑ to 24‑months and is expected to create 150 direct jobs and benefit over 1,200 people indirectly. Officials cited donor negotiations and support from the "Stay in Africa" platform as key factors.
In a ceremony held at Abidjan’s National Conference on Migrants Reintegration on October 30, 2026, Cote d’Ivoire’s minister delegate for African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, Adama Dosso, announced a new 18‑ to 24‑month pilot project aimed at the socio‑economic reintegration of returning migrants.
The effort, dubbed KITLANY, will be funded at an estimated cost of 2 billion CFA francs, equal to about $3.5 million, and will be administered by the international platform Stay in Africa.
Project Scope and Goals
According to Dosso, the initiative is designed to support 300 individuals—200 returning migrants and 100 young people from affected communities—through a combination of psychosocial support, vocational training, and employment opportunities that build on local economic needs.
In addition, he said the program is expected to create 150 direct jobs and benefit an additional 1,200 people indirectly through ripple effects on surrounding communities.
Dosso noted that the government is seeking to secure more than half of the required funding through two donor roundtables scheduled during the two‑day conference, a move he said would reinforce the sustainability of the project.
Current Context of Returnee Support
Official data released by the government showed that 4,125 returning migrants had received support by the end of September 2026, compared with 2,313 for the entirety of 2025.
"While returning home sometimes marks the end of a difficult journey, it should also open up new prospects for personal recovery, economic integration and contribution to sustainable development," Dosso added.
Dosso emphasized that the initiative would not only aid integration for individuals but also aim to strengthen local labor markets and promote inclusive development in communities that have been historically affected by migration.
He underscored that the partnership with Stay in Africa would bring international expertise to design training curricula, facilitate job matching, and provide ongoing mentorship to ensure returning migrants can successfully transition back into productive roles.
While the exact mechanics of the training programs remain to be detailed, organizers have indicated that no single sector will dominate; instead, the services will span construction, agriculture, small‑business development, and digital skills, reflecting the diverse needs of both returnees and host communities.
Abidjan’s then‑prime minister later commented in a brief statement that the initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to stabilize labor markets and support economic recovery in post‑conflict countries.
With the pilot set to launch immediately following the conference, officials anticipate the first cohort of returnees to start training sessions in early 2027, with subsequent hires scheduled for later that year.
The project’s success will be measured through employment metrics, self‑employment rates, and psychosocial wellbeing indicators that can be tracked over the two‑year period.
While this effort represents a significant commitment from the Ivorian government, it also reflects a growing trend among African nations to leverage international platforms for returnee support and to create scalable models that can be replicated across the region.
Pending the outcomes of the donor roundtables, the project seeks to secure at least $1.75 million—over half of the total estimated cost—in external funding, which would help cover essential training materials, facility upgrades, and compensation for technical advisors.
As the pilot project moves into its operational phase, local NGOs will monitor its impact and provide periodic updates to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability in the reintegration process.
