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Youth in West Africa Demand Quality Jobs and Education Amid Crisis, ETHRWorldEMEA
The fourth Annual West Africa and Sahel Youth Forum, held in Dakar from 26–28 August 2025, placed youth employment and education in crisis contexts at the forefront of regional priorities. Organised by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the event gathered nearly 150 participants, including youth representatives, governments, workers’ and employers’ organisations, and civil society from 17 countries.
Discussions highlighted urgent workforce challenges, with 72% of young workers in sub-Saharan Africa in precarious jobs and more than 14,000 schools closed, affecting 2.8 million children. Leaders stressed that with over 65% of the population under 30, creating decent work and expanding access to education are critical for peace, development, and stability in the region.
The Forum concluded with the adoption of the Dakar Youth Compact, a roadmap calling for accelerated job creation, equitable access to quality education and training in crisis settings, and stronger youth participation in policymaking. The ILO pledged to support governments and social partners in advancing responsive skills systems, fostering business growth, and strengthening employment policies under the AU-ILO Youth Employment Strategy (YES-Africa).
Senegalese officials and UN leaders underscored that investing in youth is central to shaping the region’s future workforce and sustaining peace.
Source: Zawya
- Published On Aug 29, 2025 at 03:08 PM IST
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