The Ivory Coast or Côte d'Ivoire is rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals. As a result, there is a significant demand for mining engineering specialists in the field, leading to a high reliance on foreign talent.

The mining sector, particularly gold mining, contributes significantly to the country’s economy. In fact, it is one of Africa's largest producers of gold. This thriving sector has led to increased job creation but has also highlighted a gap in sufficiently trained local professionals.

To bridge this gap, the government and the private sector have invested in education and training, with local universities introducing advanced degree programmes in mining engineering to increase local talent.

Challenges in the Ivory Coast recruitment landscape

Despite the sector’s success, there’s still a notable deficiency in mining engineers and recruitment challenges in the mining engineering profession include:
 

A skills shortage: A fundamental problem is the lack of skilled mining engineers. There aren’t enough trained local professionals to meet the industry’s demand, largely due to a skills development deficiency.

Skills gaps: Historically, the Ivory Coast’s education system has lacked specialised programmes for mining engineering, contributing to skills gaps. Although efforts are underway to bolster educational programmes, it will take time for these initiatives to yield a significant number of trained professionals.
 

International recruitment difficulties: While hiring foreign professionals can help address the skills shortage, it also brings its own challenges, including the need for competitive compensation packages, cultural and language differences, and potential legal or visa issues.
 

Gender issues: The mining industry is traditionally male-dominated, and addressing gender imbalances in the profession remains challenging.
 

Rapid tech advancements: The mining industry increasingly relies on advanced technologies, such as AI, machine learning, and robotics. As a result, it is a challenge to find professionals who are sufficiently tech-savvy.
 

Sustainability: As the global focus on sustainable mining practices intensifies, it becomes increasingly important for mining engineers to understand and apply principles of ecological sustainability. However, finding appropriate experts is difficult, because of inadequate skills development.

Ready for golden opportunities

Gold has been the fastest-growing sector in the Ivory Coast’s mining industry, with exports increasing significantly over the last decade. As a result, the country has attracted significant foreign investment, with several global mining companies having set up operations in the Ivory Coast.

Besides gold, the Ivory Coast has substantial reserves of other minerals, including manganese, nickel, and bauxite. Recognising the need for local mining expertise, the government has invested in education and training; Felix Houphouet-Boigny University offers advanced degree programmes in mining engineering.

Want to recruit someone in or from the Ivory Coast?

According to Lexology, 73.2% of the Ivory Coast’s workforce is composed of young people and hiring is governed by several laws and regulations, including:

·        Labour laws

The Ivory Coast’s Labour Code provides the overarching framework for all employment matters, including hiring. It has several rules concerning working hours, wages, leave, and termination. Be sure to familiarise yourself with these provisions to ensure compliance.

·         Hiring locals vs expats

Employers in the Ivory Coast are encouraged to prioritise the employment of Ivorian citizens. According to Article 23.2 of the Labour Code, employers must justify hiring a foreigner by demonstrating that no local candidates have the necessary skills or qualifications for the job.

·          Money and benefits

In addition to minimum wage requirements, employers must provide certain benefits, such as paid leave, maternity leave, and social security contributions. In a competitive field like mining engineering, offering a competitive package with additional benefits is key to attracting top talent.

·           Employment contracts

Employment contracts can be for a fixed term, an indefinite term, or a specific task or project. Mining companies often employ a mix of contract types depending on the role, project timeline, and whether the employee is local or foreign.

Final thoughts

Developing advanced degree programmes in mining engineering is a significant step toward reducing the skills gap in the Ivory Coast’s mining sector. From a recruitment perspective, it presents an excellent opportunity for Ivorian professionals to enter the industry, giving access to a larger pool of local candidates with a deep understanding of the country’s mining landscape.

This can reduce the need for international recruitment, save on work permits and relocation costs, and help companies comply with local hiring laws. What’s more, employing local talent can foster community relationships, which is crucial in the mining sector. As these initiatives continue to grow, companies recruiting in and from the Ivory Coast can expect a more vibrant, diverse mining engineering workforce.

Contact Network Recruitment for more information or advice related to hiring talent in or from the Ivory Coast (or apply to unearth a golden career opportunity).