Addressing the Challenge of Youth Unemployment in Africa

AU Youth Employment Policy Frameworks Youth development policy at the continental level has rapidly evolved and is articulated through, among others;  African Youth Charter  Decade Plan of Action  Malabo decision on Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable development  Ouaga +10 declaration on employment and poverty alleviation and its plan of action.  Agenda Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 specifically talks of an Africa where Development is People- Driven, Unleashing the Potential of its Women and Youth.

Addressing the Challenge African HOS and Governments; “RE-AFFIRM our determination to reduce unemployment in our countries, in particular of Youth and Women, by at least two (2%) percent annually over the next decade; and also to halve the huge underemployment rate over the next decade” Declaration on Employment, Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Development, Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Addis Ababa, January 2015

Ouaga+10 Declaration and Plan of Action  1 st Five Year Priority Programme on employment, poverty eradication and inclusive development  Key Priority Area 2: Addresses Youth and Women Employment  KPA outcome 1: Youth and women employment mainstreamed and given appropriate prominence (e.g. through pro-women and pro-youth initiatives) in relevant AU policies and programmes  Indicator 1.1: Women and youth employment concerns integrated in policies of AU, RECs and MS

Agenda 2063 and Youth Employment 1.Special focus on Agriculture, where Africa’s Agriculture will be modern and productive, using science, technology, innovation and indigenous knowledge. 2.Youth unemployment will be eliminated, and Africa’s youth guaranteed full access to education, training, skills and technology, to health services, jobs and economic opportunities, recreational and cultural activities as well as resources and financial means to allow them to realize their full potential.

Commitments of the Assembly of the African Union  Providing an enabling environment for its women, children and young people to flourish and reach their full potential.  Harnessing the continent’s comparative advantages such as its people, history and cultures, its natural resources, etc  Developing Africa’s human capital; building social assets, infrastructure and public goods; empowering women and youth and promoting lasting peace and security

Some AU initiatives on Youth Employment  Youth employment interventions being crosscutting in nature require multisectoral approach.  Enables identification of value chains as opportunities for specific skilling, innovation and job creation.  Management Information Systems such as Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS) Education Management Information System (EMIS) etc. Quite important for knowledge based planning.

1. African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) The programme aims to;  Offer opportunities to the young educated Africans to feel and work as Africans for Africa,  Expose youth to working environment in all spheres of development in Africa, not only to enhance their employability skills, build professional abilities and increase their chance to access job market,  but also for them to meaningfully contribute as actors to Africa’s empowerment as the needs are expressed.

2. Skills Development: Continental TVET Strategy  TVET is a priority area of the 2 nd Decade of Education & continues being important area in Education & Training post  A TVET strategy was developed in 2007 that was generally accepted by policy makers and key stakeholders, there has been little progress in its implementation.  The review of the 2007 Strategy identified the need to align it with current global trends and define a set of indicators for monitoring progress.

Skills Dev. Cont.  The new continental strategy examines the possibilities of TVET as a response to facilitate the promotion of national development, poverty reduction and regional integration.  It draws on recent regional and international initiatives aimed at promoting TVET to foster youth employment.  Approach based on a Paradigm Shift with an emphasis on skills for job creation.

3. Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) In its implementation Strategy and Roadmap (IS&R), there is commitment to inclusive Agricultural Growth & Transformation by;  Developing & implementing policies & incentives that would create job opportunities for at least 30% of the youth in agricultural value chains.  Preferential entry & participation by women and youth in gainful and attractive agribusiness  Incentives to increase youth enrolment in agricultural disciplines in vocational and tertiary education

4. Programme Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA)  A Multi sector programme covering Transport, Energy, Trans boundary water and ICT/Telecommunication.  Provides the strategic framework and  Agenda of priority infrastructure projects  Offers immense potential for job creation in the mentioned sectors, details for each sector available at;

Other Opportunities Mwalimu Nyerere AU Scholarship  Designed to enable young Africans to study at leading African universities and Higher Education Institutions, in the fields of Science and Technology.  Pan African University Scientific Awards to promote Science & Technology (S&T). Major factors in innovation & job creation.