ADDIS ABABA The African Union (AU) has sounded the alarm over the continent’s persistent youth unemployment crisis and is calling for urgent, bold action to address the challenge through industrialization, innovation, and regional integration.
The Third African Job Creation Forum, jointly organized by the African Union, the Government of Ethiopia and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, is currently underway in Addis Ababa.
The three-day forum is being held under the theme: “Advancing Job Creation and Economic Resilience through Regional Integration, Digital and Financial Inclusion along Agricultural Value Chains in the AfCFTA Market.”
With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, sustainable job creation is seen as a critical priority for ensuring the continent’s economic future, social stability, and political resilience.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized that advancing job creation and economic resilience through integration is no longer optional but a development imperative. Noting that Africa contributes less than 3% to global value chains, he stressed that “the time for incremental action has passed–we must act at scale.”
Mahmoud also highlighted that agriculture remains Africa’s largest employer, supporting more than 60% of livelihoods. He urged Africa’s private sector both large enterprises and small businesses to seize the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA and actively participate in the continent’s expanding internal market.
In addition, he called for embracing new models of work and youth-driven innovations, especially in the digital and technology sectors. These emerging trends, he said, are essential for addressing structural unemployment and preparing Africa for the future of work.
The AU Commission Chairperson also underscored the importance of ensuring access to affordable finance for Africa’s young entrepreneurs, enabling them to contribute more effectively to value creation and industrial transformation.
Over the course of the forum, experts, policymakers, and business leaders are discussing key issues, including regional integration, labor mobility, digital trade, and the full operationalization of the AU’s financial institutions. The goal is to unlock decent and sustainable employment opportunities for Africa’s burgeoning youth population and to drive inclusive economic growth across the continent.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 9 JULY 2025