Addressing youth unemployment in Africa: Experts discuss youth employment policy analysis findings at online PEP event

By 2030, the number of young working-age people in Africa will reach 375 million. While this represents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development on the continent, many young Africans struggle to find meaningful employment. With youth job-seekers already outpacing available career opportunities, tackling the shortage of quality work for young people is critical.

On March 3 and 16, PEP hosted a virtual discussion showcasing findings from our What Works for Youth Employment in Africa initiative – a collaborative three-year partnership between PEP and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at informing equitable job creation policies to address the growing issue of youth unemployment across the continent.

The event offered a unique opportunity to connect with researchers, experts, policymakers, and fellow participants who were passionate about youth employment in Africa. Their insights and experiences contributed productivity to discussions on effective strategies that could transform the lives of millions of young people.

Journalist and television personality Gladys Gachanja hosted the event. Among the speakers included Prof. Jane Mariara, PEP's Executive Director, Dr. Eunice Methengi, Director of Program and Strategic Research at the Mastercard Foundation in Kenya, Dr. Christian A. Emini, Senior Lecturer at Universite Yaounde II and Senior Adviser at the Prime Minister's Office in Cameroon, and PEP researcher and mentor, as well as Dr. Niall O'Higgins, Senior Research Specialist at the International Labour Organization in Switzerland.

Latest milestones in the What Works for Youth Employment in Africa initiative

Throughout 2021 and 2022, PEP researchers conducted a series of studies across ten African countries, with input from PEP-affiliated local policy experts, government officials, and youth representatives. So far, research in seven countries—Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda—is complete, while the project's remaining three countries of focus, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and South Africa, are currently underway. 

These analyses benefited from the invaluable input and feedback of hundreds of local stakeholders, who helped validate the results. To date, 560 local stakeholders from the initial seven countries—including government officials, civil society members, NGOs, media, and private sector representatives—have been consulted.

As the initiative progresses, PEP and the Mastercard Foundation remain optimistic about the positive impact they can create in the lives of young Africans. As part of its Young Africa Works strategy, the Mastercard Foundation aims to enable 30 million young people in Africa, particularly women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, and we are confident that this body of research will ensure this goal is achieved.

Key findings
A look at common youth employment challenges across different countries

By Dr. Christian A. Emini, Senior Lecturer, Universite Yaounde II Senior Adviser, Prime Minister’s Office Cameroon

Across the first seven countries analysed, young people experience high levels of unemployment and underemployment, as well as significant skills gaps compared to their peers. Moreover, young women and youth with disabilities face disproportionate challenges in accessing stable and decent work, particularly in Kenya and Uganda.

While several governments have implemented Youth Employment Programmes (YEPs) to empower young people with the necessary skills, training, and opportunities for success in the job market, these initiatives often face challenges that limit their effectiveness. Issues such as inadequate coordination, poor evaluation, and politicization hinder the programs' ability to address the mounting youth unemployment and underemployment crisis in Africa. Furthermore, many young individuals remain unaware of the YEPs' available and its benefits.

• Inadequate coordination: Many YEPs are implemented by various organizations, including governments, NGOs, and private sector companies. However, the lack of coordination and collaboration among these stakeholders can result in overlapping efforts, resource misallocation, and inefficiencies. 

• Poor evaluation: Evaluating the effectiveness of YEPs is important for identifying successful strategies and refining the programs. However, many YEPs lack sufficient monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, making it difficult to assess their real impact on youth employment. 

• Politicization: In some cases, YEPs can become politicized, with their implementation and funding tied to political agendas or interests. This can lead to an emphasis on short-term gains and visibility rather than long-term, sustainable solutions for youth employment.

Among the policy solutions Dr. Emini discussed in his presentation included:

• Aligning YEPs with national development objectives and macroeconomic frameworks.
• Centralizing and depoliticizing YEPs to prevent duplication and strengthen coordination.
• Ensuring YEPs are backed by effective resource mobilization. 

Key address
Examining Neither in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) youth rates and trends 

By Dr. Niall O’Higgins, Senior Research Specialist International Labour organization, Switzerland.

In his presentation, Dr. O’Higgins highlighted the proportion of young people categorized as Neither in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). NEET rates, with a global average of around 15%, are particularly high in Senegal, Nigeria, and Uganda. In these countries, one in three youths is not in education or employment training, with NEET rates reaching as high as 35.1% in Uganda, 26.2% in Nigeria, and 34.9% in Senegal.

NEET rates are higher for young women than young men – a trend seen worldwide. However, these rates are especially high in Ethiopia (where 3 out of 4 NEET youth are women) and Senegal (with twice as many young female NEETs as male). The NEET rates among young people with disabilities are even higher. In Nigeria, Rwanda, and Senegal, three out of four young people with disabilities are neither in employment nor education or training.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted young people worldwide, including those in African countries, leading to increased NEET rates between 2019 and 2021.

Dr. O’Higgins emphasized the need for job creation as a major issue. To address this, he suggests integrating job creation into macroeconomic and development strategies.

Group discussions - The way forward for YEP strategies in Africa  
Exploring youth employment solutions across Africa

During interactive breakout sessions, participants engaged in insightful discussions to better understand specific local challenges and explore potential solutions.

During the session, attendees were grouped into four virtual rooms based on their country affiliations: 

1. Niger, Senegal, and Burkina
2. Ghana and Nigeria
3. Rwanda and South Africa
4. Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda

Together, they addressed three questions:

• Q1: Based on PEP's findings, what was the most valuable lesson that could inform your country's youth employment (YE) policy strategies or actions?
• Q2: What were some best practices in terms of YE policy strategies and/or implementation?
• Q3: How should we move forward in addressing the youth employment challenge in your sub-region/country? What were the key enablers or entry points to overcome these challenges?

Niger, Sénégal and Burkina Faso ​

Based on PEP's findings, what was the most valuable lesson that could inform your country's youth employment (YE) policy strategies or actions?

• Young people, particularly women, face unique challenges that can lead to them abandoning their job search. It is essential to offer support packages that can assist them with finding employment opportunities.
• The issue of mismatch between supply and demand is a significant challenge. Current training programs are not adequately tailored to the job market. By adapting training to better suit the needs of employers, we can help young people secure employment.
• A shared challenge among these three countries is their focus on raw material extraction. By developing the industrial sector, they can create more job opportunities.
• Additionally, strengthening public-private partnerships is crucial to addressing these challenges effectively.

What were some best practices in terms of YE policy strategies and/or implementation?

• Employment opportunities for young people can be significantly increased through construction projects, such as road building and paving, which tend to generate numerous jobs.
• The emergency program for employment and socio-economic integration of young people, called Xeyyu Ndaw Ni, could benefit youth in Senegal. Implementing this program across all sectors would have a far-reaching positive impact.

How should we move forward in addressing the youth employment challenge in your sub-region/country? What were the key enablers or entry points to overcome these challenges?

• Drawing from my experience, addressing childcare issues can significantly support women. For instance, creating mobile daycare centers has proven to be highly effective, although their accessibility can be expensive. Emphasizing vocational training and self-employment is also crucial.
• Additionally, focusing on the jobs of the future presents an important avenue for growth and opportunity.

Ghana and Nigeria ​

Based on PEP's findings, what was the most valuable lesson that could inform your country's youth employment (YE) policy strategies or actions?

• Creating a comprehensive, centralized hub for youth engagement, skills development, and employment can streamline support and resources.
• A regional approach, customized to local circumstances, should be adopted for greater effectiveness.
• Youth Employment Programs must be linked to the broader macroeconomic framework of the economy to ensure sustainability.

What were some best practices in terms of YE policy strategies and/or implementation?

• Many youth employment policies and programs tend to exclude disadvantaged groups. It is essential that these policies and programs accommodate the needs of marginalized groups, such as youth with disabilities, rural youth, and young women.
• In Nigeria, training and mentorship initiatives have enabled young people to start their own businesses through the support of training centers. With adequate funding, these programs can achieve long-term sustainability, as seen in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
• Establishing physical job centers can be helpful in overcoming barriers like limited access to high-speed internet, ensuring that more young people can benefit from these resources.

How should we move forward in addressing the youth employment challenge in your sub-region/country? What were the key enablers or entry points to overcome these challenges?

• Youth are often excluded from decision-making processes that affect their economic participation. Improving their access to these discussions and implementing affirmative action can ensure their involvement in program development and design.

Rwanda and South Africa ​

Based on PEP's findings, what was the most valuable lesson that could inform your country's youth employment (YE) policy strategies or actions?

• South African research has not yet begun, but there are already several initiatives with the potential for large-scale implementation. The government's political will to drive youth employment is crucial, as seen in initiatives like "Buy Rwanda," which helps create jobs for young people. It is important to separate youth employment programs from the politics of the day.
• Marginalized individuals or those with disabilities face even greater disadvantages, so emphasizing social protection is essential.

What were some best practices in terms of YE policy strategies and/or implementation?

• Evaluating youth based on their Not in Employment, Education, and Training (NEET) status is an important metric. Rwanda's annual survey to measure improvement in this area serves as an excellent practice.
• PEP's approach to research, which involves collaboration with stakeholders such as youth, policymakers, and partners from the outset, is a highly effective method.

How should we move forward in addressing the youth employment challenge in your sub-region/country? What were the key enablers or entry points to overcome these challenges?

• When developing youth strategies, it's essential to establish a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework with indicators that measure success and enable adaptation to improve performance. Additionally, this M&E framework should emphasize youth voices.
• It's crucial to plan impact evaluations and collaborate with policymakers to develop macro-economic policies that maximize youth employment, particularly with youth-led organizations.
• Vulnerable groups should be prioritized and supported through social protection measures. As such, it's important to identify particularly vulnerable youth and ensure they are included.

Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda ​

Based on PEP's findings, what was the most valuable lesson that could inform your country's youth employment (YE) policy strategies or actions?

• Removing political influences from youth policies and programs can ensure fairness and equal opportunities.
• Creating opportunities for young people to obtain international certifications can enhance their career prospects and global competitiveness.
• It's important for governments to actively involve youth in national and regional development, treating them as valuable contributors rather than passive participants. This approach will foster a more inclusive and dynamic society.

What were some best practices in terms of YE policy strategies and/or implementation?

• Ensuring preparation and onboarding of young people for programs, such as providing training before disbursing business loans or grants, can enhance their chances of success.
• Raising awareness among youth about available programs can help them take advantage of opportunities that suit their needs and interests.
• Aligning the demand and supply sides of employment is crucial, as well as coordinating efforts among various government stakeholders, such as the Ministries of Youth, ICT, and Agriculture. This collaboration can create a more cohesive and effective approach to addressing youth employment challenges.

How should we move forward in addressing the youth employment challenge in your sub-region/country? What were the key enablers or entry points to overcome these challenges?

• Incorporating youth perspectives in policymaking ensures that their needs and aspirations are considered.
• When framing policies, it's crucial to evaluate whether the planned training aligns with the skills demanded by the job market.
• recognizing the diverse needs and backgrounds of young people is vital for creating policies and programs that cater to a heterogeneous youth population.
• Developing macroeconomic strategies that support youth employment creation is essential to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic economy.