The Investisseurs & Partenaires Education and Employment Program (IP2E), launched in 2021 to improve educational access and employment outcomes across West Africa, held a successful feedback event in Accra.
This event, made possible through partnerships with the Mastercard Foundation, the European Union, and the Government of Monaco, brought together stakeholders from across the educational spectrum, celebrating three years of impactful contributions to the region’s education and employment sectors.
Since its inception, the IP2E program has provided financial and technical support to 30 private higher education institutions, vocational centers, and key educational players in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
The initiative is committed to equipping youth with the skills and training needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market, with a focus on accessibility, quality education, and social inclusion.
Empowering education and employment
Opening the event, Koumba Anouma, the IP2E Program Director, shared the significant achievements and challenges of the program.
“Together, we have faced challenges that taught us invaluable lessons, forged strong partnerships, and contributed to a promising future for young people across the region,” Madam Anouma stated.
She highlighted the program’s progress in enhancing the quality of education and supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access learning and career opportunities.
She also emphasised the importance of strengthening pathways to employment, which will be essential as Africa prepares to welcome 30 million new job market entrants annually by 2030.
Regis Ouattara, Head of Investment for I&P Education to Employment, discussed the program’s investment strategy, emphasising the need to support the education sector, which has historically been underfunded.
“The education sector plays a crucial role in societal development, yet it faces severe funding shortages, particularly in West Africa,” Mr. Ouattara said, noting that I&P’s “mission is to support innovative and resilient educational solutions that increase employability for young Africans”.
He highlighted the program’s focus on addressing key challenges such as digitalisation, impact measurement, and social inclusion, enabling educational institutions to better serve students and meet labour market demands.
A Program of Impact
Manuela Boma-Atta, the ESG/Impact Officer of IP2E, presented the capitalisation report, which documented the program’s successes and measurable outcomes.
“We’ve supported more than 200,000 students, with a focus on gender inclusion—58% of our beneficiaries are women. This shows our commitment to reducing barriers to education, especially for marginalised populations,” Ms. Boma-Atta noted.
The program’s support extends to diverse educational businesses, from vocational training and higher education to edtech and publishing. Focus areas have included digital transformation, measuring graduate employability, fostering inclusion, and creating safe learning environments. Through these efforts, the program has actively contributed to bridging the gap between education and market needs in Africa.
Peter Tetteh Narh, Program Partner for Education and Skills at the Mastercard Foundation, expressed the Foundation’s commitment to advancing youth employment through IP2E.
He noted that IP2E aligns with the Foundation’s ambitious “Young Africa Works” strategy, which aims to provide dignified work to 30 million African youth by 2030.
“Education and employability programs such as IP2E are essential to preparing our youth for the future. We’re proud to partner with I&P and see the impact on young people across Ghana and the region,” he said.
Insights from the Field
The event featured a panel discussion on “Inclusive Education and Employment for All: Bridging Inequalities in Access to Training.”
Panelists included Richard Brand, Founder of Codetrain Africa; Grace Amey Obeng, Founder of FC Beauty College; OluDele Sonekan, Portfolio Manager of IP2E; and Akosua Kosei Kwarteng-Asamoah, Lecturer and Dean of Students at Garden City University College.
Each panelist shared valuable perspectives on curriculum development, the importance of industry alignment, and practical skills-building. The experts called for curriculum reforms in West Africa’s education systems to better prepare students for employment.
The panel discussed the challenges of inclusivity in education, especially for marginalised and rural communities, highlighting the need for a flexible curriculum that adapts to students’ specific skill sets and environments, reducing barriers to entry and enabling students to thrive regardless of their location.
They also urged educators to create a supportive environment that encourages confidence, fostering pathways for underrepresented groups.
In her closing remarks, the Director of the I&P Education and Employment Program expressed gratitude to the program’s partners, particularly the Mastercard Foundation, for their continued support.
