Skip to content Italy and Ethiopia have launched a Global Skills Partnership (GSP), an initiative aimed at creating a structured system of labour mobility that generates benefits for both countries. The agreement is based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility signed on October 27, 2025, and seeks to develop professional skills aligned with the needs of both the Italian and Ethiopian labour markets, particularly in sectors facing labour shortage.
A central component of the GSP is professional training in Ethiopia, jointly designed by the two countries. Ethiopian workers will be able to acquire skills that are useful both for finding employment in their home country and for accessing job opportunities in Italy. For those participating in international mobility programs, pre-departure training is provided, including language, civic, and professional preparation, facilitating integration and regular entry into Italy for non-seasonal work.
The partnership also aims to improve job matching services and support the integration of workers once they arrive in the destination country. At the same time, it contributes to strengthening Ethiopia’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, with a particular focus on youth employability.
The initiative receives support by broad institutional cooperation: the World Bank will provide technical assistance, while Italy contributes through national and European funds, including those for migration and integration. In Italy, “Sviluppo Lavoro” Italia also pays an operational role in implementing pre-departure training programs.
From a political perspective, the GSP represents an innovative model of international cooperation based on shared responsibility, human development, and regulated migration. For Italy, it is part of the Mattei Plan for Africa, while for Ethiopia it represents an opportunity to enhance its workforce, access global opportunities, and support national economic growth.