The sound of hammering, the roar of motorcycles, and conversations with customers. This is the scene that greets us this Friday morning at a motorcycle repair shop in Doba, a town located in western Côte d’Ivoire in the San-Pedro department.
This is where Kaboré Ibrahim, affectionately known as “IB” by his friends, has set up shop. Having never had the chance to go to school, IB used to accompany his father to work in the fields and sometimes herded cattle. These were difficult tasks for the child he once was.
It was in 2018, as part of a vocational training project implemented by ICI and its partners, that Ibrahim Koboré began an apprenticeship with a master craftsman in Méagui.
“Everyone has a trade they love. I loved motorcycle mechanics. So I was happy that they found me a training opportunity,” IB told us.
He began this training, originally scheduled to last 9 months, at the age of 17. “This young man was exemplary and loved his work. By the end of the scheduled training period, my apprentice already knew how to replace clutches, bearings, and transmissions. But nine months weren’t enough for a comprehensive, hands-on training,” said Koné Brahima, IB’s master craftsman and owner of a motorcycle repair shop in Méagui.
According to him, several qualities are necessary to mentor a trainee in this field. These include, among other things, the trainee’s determination, respect for the instructor, a great deal of humility, and patience. IB possessed these qualities. “This brave and respectful young man was very open-minded and so reliable that I entrusted him with the keys to my workshop. So he would open the doors at 6 a.m. and close them at 7:30 p.m. every day,” added Koné Brahima with great pride.
With the consent of Ibrahim and his father, the training program was extended to seven years. At the end of this program, the time had come for the apprentice to take full responsibility for himself, set up his own business, and stand on his own two feet. So, on August 7, 2025, he became independent from his master and trainer and set up shop in Doba, still with his master’s support. “We can estimate the cost of setting up shop at just over 1,200,000 FCFA, taking into account the purchase of some equipment and the security deposit for the store that serves as his workshop,” Koné Brahima told us.
This journey is undoubtedly a source of pride for Kaboré Tanga Abdou, IB’s father, who has always supported his choice of apprenticeship. “A customer told me about my son’s kindness and, above all, his professionalism in repairing his motorcycle. I was very happy to hear that. He has what it takes to grow and become self-sufficient,” said his father, who came this morning to check in on his son at his workplace and offer him encouragement.
Like him, loyal customers came from the neighborhood and surrounding villages to seek the services of their mechanic. “I’ve known IB for only two months. But he does good work,” said Mohamed Ilboudo, a cocoa farmer.
Now 25 years old and having been in business for 8 months, Ibrahim is assisted by an 18-year-old apprentice. Specializing in two- and three-wheeled motorcycle mechanics, including engine electrical work, engine repairs, and bearing replacements, IB hopes to expand his business over the next two years by adding the sale of spare parts to his mechanical services in order to build his reputation and earn more money.
While his monthly revenue currently averages 40,000 FCFA, he aims to reach at least 200,000 FCFA per month through this diversification.
“I also want to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained to many young people of my generation so they can support themselves,” he added in a serious tone.
Ibrahim Kaboré benefited from this learning opportunity thanks to the Eliminating Child Labor in Cocoa (ECLIC) project, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and implemented by the International Cocoa Initiative between 2015 and 2019.
