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© 2012 Economic Commission for Africa H
Boost job creation and help the youth acquire new skills – new report argues
ECA Press Release 149/2012
Addis Ababa, 13 September 2012 (ECA) – A series of discussions on the recently launched African Economic Outlook 2012 kicked off Thursday in Addis Ababa, where approximately 100 participants debated the main challenges and policy options for promoting youth employment. Co-authored by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the OECD Development Centre, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the report says youth are an opportunity for future economic growth.
Speaking at the session, Emmanuel Nnadozie, Director of Economic Development and NEPAD Division at the ECA said,
“Despite Africa’s remarkable economic growth, the Continent’s rapidly expanding youth population and high unemployment among them are posing a serious challenge for African countries’ sustained and accelerated economic and social development.”
“Youth in vulnerable employment and working poverty are the largest majority, while discouraged or inactive youth are the most common group in middle-income countries, he added.
Between 2000 and 2008, despite world-topping economic growth rates, and a better educated youth, Africa created only 16 million jobs for young people aged between 15 and 24. The report, said Nnadozie, will help countries maximize benefits from the emerging “demographic dividend” on the continent.
The discussions emphasized the need for governments to pay serious attention to the demand side of the labor market and create more decent jobs.
“A youth that is discouraged is not just a youth that is in trouble, but also a youth that is trouble,” emphasized Nnadozie. He urged that schools and training centres in Africa should provide youth with more on-job training opportunities.
With the number of youths in Africa set to double by 2045, countries across the continent should boost job creation and help young people acquire new skills, according to the African Economic Outlook 2012.
“Creating productive employment for Africa’s rapidly growing young population is an immense challenge but also the key to future prosperity”, say the authors in the foreword.
For her part, Alessandra Tisot, UNDP Country Director said the report is a reminder to African governments and policy makers to “focus on removing obstacles to the many informal groups.” She also emphasized the need to put in place more supportive and agile systems and mechanisms to unleash their creativity.
Lamin Barrow, AfDB Resident Representative reiterated the Report’s recommendations, including the need for governments to pay special attention to the informal sector and rural areas. “These have pools of labor and entrepreneurial talent, and could serve as potential engines for inclusive growth since they can absorb higher numbers of unemployed youths,” he said.
He further assured the meeting of the Bank’s commitment, “working with partner institutions, to support African governments to design and implement policies that will enhance resilience, help remove the barriers to growth and promote social cohesion.”
The report argues youth unemployment figures will increase unless Africa moves swiftly to make youth employment a priority, turning its human capital into economic opportunity. On the other hand, youths can present a significant threat to social cohesion and political stability if they do not secure decent living conditions.
Information about the report:
The annual 2012 African Economic Outlook covers economic, social and political development in 53 of the continent’s 54 countries. It is published with financial support from the European Union and the Committee of African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).
For the whole report, including statistics and specific country performance, please visit http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org
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