In partnership with the global UNLEASH program, UniPod Benin will organize a hackathon in Abomey-Calavi from 20 to 21 June 2025. Benin relies on innovation, entrepreneurship and training to promote the employment of 18-35 year olds, who are particularly exposed to underemployment and precariousness

27% of young people are affected by unemployment in Benin according to a document entitled “Young people in Benin are making progress in education but face persistent economic challenges” published on 11 April 2025. Indeed, the UNLEASH Hack-UNIPOD Benin 2025 agreement is part of a dynamic aimed at strengthening the skills of young people and promoting their integration into sectors such as sustainable agriculture. It offers participants the opportunity to develop concrete solutions to Benin's agricultural challenges, in collaboration with specialized mentors. The success of this hackathon will largely depend on the ability of the organizers to provide support beyond the event, in particular by facilitating access to finance and by integrating the proposed solutions into public policies.

As a reminder, in 2023, the National Employment Agency (ANPE) launched a similar program, the “Employment and Skills Fair”, aimed at promoting the skills of young people. Thanks to this program, 2,000 young graduates found a job immediately, according to the official government statement. The sustainability of these initiatives is crucial to meet the structural challenges of the Beninese labor market