21-03-2023 15:30
Giving opportunities: job creation and decent work to eradicate poverty
On 21 March, the Committee on Development held a public hearing on how to create sustainable and decent employment opportunities in Africa for its increasingly young population.
African youth aged 15-24 constitute around two thirds of the continent's population and that is why employment growth and decent working conditions are essential for sustainable development. Currently, over 80% of jobs in Sub Saharan Africa are in family agriculture or in small household enterprises with extremely low incomes.
Members discussed regional policy developments and grassroots projects that offer opportunities for young people and enhance sustainable development.
Speakers presented strategies how to create local talent ecosystems - with a case study of African vaccine manufacturing - and how to involve the private sector in developing entrepreneurs and enterprises by more effectively linking Vocational Education and Training to job creation.
The hearing looked at current EU development actions in the field of job creation, access to decent work as well as training and education, with a focus on the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package.
- Draft programme of the hearing (PDF - 140 KB)
- Speaker's bio (PDF - 113 KB)
- Video-recording of the event
- Global Gateway - EU-Africa flagship projects for 2023
- EU-Africa: Global Gateway Investment Package
- Employment and Skills for Development in Africa (E4D) - GIZ
- KWAME Initiative: Knowledge & Workforce for Africa Manufacturing's Equity
- African Development Bank's Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy 2016-2025