For millions of young Africans struggling to find work, a bold new initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB) could be a game-changer.
In partnership with the International Labour Organization, the Bank has launched a new system that ensures its investments directly create jobs, build skills, and support youth-led businesses across the continent.
Why This Matters to Young Africans
Every year, over 12 million young people in Africa enter the job market, but only about 3 million formal jobs are available. The rest are left battling underemployment, informality, or total joblessness. This initiative is a response to that harsh reality.
“This system ensures that Africa’s youth are not just passive recipients of aid,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, AfDB’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “They will now have a real stake in building sustainable economies and in shaping their futures.”
What’s in it for the Youth?
The initiative focuses on three core areas:
- Youth: Supporting youth-led businesses and startups with direct investment.
- Skills: Providing hands-on, market-relevant training and apprenticeships.
- Jobs: Creating real, sustainable job opportunities tied to Bank-funded projects.
From agribusiness hubs in rural Ghana to green tech training centers in Kenya, the system aims to ensure that when the Bank builds infrastructure or funds a programme, young people are trained, employed, and supported to launch enterprises.
Using Data to Make Better Decisions
A digital dashboard will allow the Bank and policymakers to track youth-related results, like how many young people got jobs, which skills were most valuable, and where entrepreneurship thrived. This evidence-based approach will help governments and donors make smarter investments where they matter most.
“This tool allows us to move from promises to actual change,” said Peter van Rooij of the ILO. “It’s about more jobs, better jobs, and ensuring young Africans are not left behind.”
Next Steps
A pilot version has already been launched, with full implementation expected in 2026. The system is modeled on the Bank’s successful Gender Marker platform and is the first of its kind from any development finance institution globally.
For Africa’s millions of unemployed youth, this could be the start of something transformative: policies that don’t just talk about jobs, but actually deliver them.
