- The World Bank is launching a $972 million program to train 18 million youth in Eastern and Southern Africa.
- Nearly 80 lakh youth enter the labor market every year, but less than 100 lakh are able to secure salaried jobs.
- The initiative aims to link training with fast-growing industries and create large-scale employment by 2034.
The World Bank has unveiled a new regional training initiative targeting 18 million youth in Eastern and Southern Africa, supported by $972 million in financing from the International Development Association (IDA), its arm for low-income countries. The announcement was made in a statement issued on February 26.
The programme, known as SET4Jobs – Skills for Economic Transformation and Employment in Eastern and Southern Africa – is designed to strengthen education and equip young people with practical skills that match labor market needs. The goal is to help them secure quality jobs, thrive in the modern economy and contribute to long-term regional development.
“Working closely with the private sector, we will help align training with growing industries such as agribusiness, energy, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.” said Ndiaume Diop, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Until 2034, SET4Jobs will support participating countries in phases with the aim of accelerating large-scale job creation. Investment projects will be launched in Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Zambia.
At the regional level, the Inter-University Council for Eastern Africa will coordinate initiatives, working with Governments to strengthen business incubation systems linked to skills development, higher education, research and employment.
A labor market under stress
According to the World Bank, East and Southern Africa are home to about 60% of the continent's population. Despite abundant human and natural resources, access to decent work is limited.
The organization warns of rising poverty, inequality and social tension if this trend continues.
Approximately 8 million youth enter the labor market each year across the region, yet less than 1 million obtain formal salaried employment. At the same time, about 6.5 million youth – including 3.6 million girls – are neither in school nor employed, whether in the formal or informal sector.
Creating quality jobs in large numbers has become an urgent priority. The World Bank argues that meeting this challenge will require investment not only in physical infrastructure but also in human capital. Developing relevant skills is considered essential to increase productivity, employment and income. The organization also calls for reforms to improve the business environment and attract more private investment.
SET4Jobs will also establish a regional knowledge-sharing platform to help participating countries exchange best practices and lessons learned.
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