The African Story
The Opportunity
“The world’s population is growing, but it is in Africa where this challenge is particularly acute. We know Africa as the place where human life began – a place with an ancient and noble history, but today it is also a place that is becoming home to more children than any other place on earth. Already, 77% of the population is below the age of 35.” – World Economic Forum, The children’s continent: keeping up with Africa’s growth, January 13, 2020.
Some truths:
✓ There will be 375 million youth in Africa by 2030.
✓ There are more young Africans entering the workforce than the rest of the world by 2035.
✓ By 2100, 46% of the global youth population will be Africans.
✓ The number of youth seeking work > available employment opportunities
✓ There is a mismatch b/n the skills of young people and those needed by employers
Further Insights
According to the World Bank, youth currently account for sixty (60%) percent of all unemployed Africans
The lack of employment opportunities for university graduates across the continent has led to high levels of informal employment, underemployment, and unemployment amongst that demographic.
Seventy (70%) percent of African youth who are employed reportedly earn an average of less than $2 a day