Hyundai and KOICA Launch 'Hyundai-KOICA NextGen' to Train Ghana's Future Automotive Talent
Hyundai Motor and KOICA launched 'Hyundai-KOICA NextGen' in Ghana to train 405 local youth and teachers in modern hybrid and EV maintenance skills.
- 405
- 80%
- 70%
- 12.5%
What Happened
Hyundai Motor and KOICA officially launched 'Hyundai-KOICA NextGen' in Ghana on September 4, 2026, making it the first project under Hyundai Motor's global 'Hyundai Continue' Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiative focused on technology education and workforce development. Developed under KOICA's Inclusive Business Solution (IBS) program and implemented with Plan International Korea and Plan International Ghana, it aims to strengthen Ghana's automotive workforce by training maintenance technicians and forging stronger industry-academia collaboration. The launch ceremony was held in Accra on September 3 and was attended by Jae Sun Yoo, Team Leader of Hyundai Motor M.East & Africa Headquarters Marketing & Communication Team; Dongwan Woo, Country Director of the KOICA Ghana Office; Ing. Dr. Eric Kofi Adzroe, Director-General of Ghana TVET Service; and Frederick Tei-Nobi, Acting Country Director of Plan International Ghana.
- 80 percent of educational institutions lack an up-to-date curriculum
- 70 percent of educational equipment currently in use is more than 10 years old
- Only a quarter of instructors possess electronic diagnostic knowledge
- Only 12.5 percent have experience with EVs
- Employer satisfaction with technical education graduates is below 40 percent
Ghana is emerging as a key automotive hub in West Africa, yet its workforce-development system and support for vulnerable youth remain limited. The project centers on three main areas: strengthened technical education, internship opportunities, and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. It is expected to support a total of 405 local youth and teachers, directly addressing outdated curricula, limited instructor competency, and aging equipment to build a pipeline of technicians for a sector shifting toward hybrids and EVs.
“With the launch of this project, Hyundai Motor will continue its technology talent development program to strengthen the competitiveness of the automotive industry. Through an updated curriculum covering the latest developments in hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, we are equipping Ghanaian youth with future-ready skills and empowering them to play a meaningful role in the continued growth of Ghana's automotive industry. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact this project will have on thousands of young people and their communities.”
“This project translates the shared commitment of Korea and Ghana into practical action by connecting skills development with industry needs, employment and entrepreneurship. By bringing together Hyundai Motor's technical expertise, KOICA's development cooperation expertise, Plan International's experience in youth empowerment and the leadership of our Ghanaian partner institutions, we aim to create new opportunities for young people and help build a stronger, more future-ready automotive sector in Ghana.”
“For Plan International Ghana, this partnership is closely aligned with our commitment to creating opportunities that enable young people to build secure, productive and fulfilling futures. We are proud to be part of this journey, and we look forward to working with all our partners to ensure that Hyundai-KOICA NextGen delivers meaningful and sustainable results.”
Why this matters
The program tackles concrete gaps in Ghana's automotive-education system, where 80% of institutions lack current curricula and only 12.5% of instructors have EV experience. It also addresses limited industry-academia cooperation and youth-employment barriers as Ghana emerges as a West African automotive hub. By equipping youth and teachers with hybrid- and EV-related skills, the initiative aims to help both workers and the country's auto industry stay competitive.
Terms in This Story
- CSV
- Creating Shared Value; a business strategy that generates economic value while also creating social value by addressing societal problems.
- KOICA
- Korea International Cooperation Agency; South Korea's government agency that manages development cooperation and grant programs.
- TVET
- Technical and Vocational Education and Training; education for specific trades and practical careers.
- EV
- Electric vehicle; a vehicle powered by an electric motor and rechargeable battery instead of an internal combustion engine.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.