Access to detailed employment data enables targeted interventions to address critical issues such as high youth unemployment, poverty and limited economic diversification. The initiative is aligned with Africa’s broader goals of leveraging technology and education to promote inclusive development.
The World Data Lab, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has launched the Africa Youth Employment Clock in Ghana, the World Data Lab announced on June 12. This innovative tool offers real-time data on job growth, providing critical insights into employment trends and opportunities for Africa’s youth.
“The Africa Youth Employment Clock is the first of its kind to provide consistent, comparable labor market statistics projections to 2030 of youth employment in Africa. Our goal is to ensure that decision makers have the right information to drive change in the world’s youngest workforce. We are proud to work with the Mastercard Foundation to build a better understanding of youth employment.”, said Vice President Strategic Engagements, World Data Lab Dr. Reshma Sheoraj.
Since its inception, the Africa Youth Employment Clock has been instrumental in promoting discussion and action to empower Africa’s youth. Offering comprehensive data for all 54 African states and detailed sub-national data for Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda, it serves policymakers, stakeholders and advocates focused on youth empowerment and economic development. More than a data tool, it provides actionable insights, enabling informed decisions and effective strategies to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and economic diversification.
Mastercard highlights a significant gap between the number of young people looking for work and the limited opportunities available. In sub-Saharan Africa, 18 million jobs need to be created annually to absorb new entrants into the labor market, yet only 3 million formal jobs are currently being created, the Africa-Europe Foundation reveals in its 2022 Migration Report and Mobility.
To address this, the Mastercard Foundation aims to help 30 million young Africans secure decent work by 2030. This goal is aligned with initiatives such as the Africa Youth Employment Clock, which democratizes data and informs decisions in public and private sector. In addition, the foundation supports the Youth Forward Initiative, which connects youth to jobs in construction and agriculture, and the Youth Think Tank, which engages youth in research and documentation of community challenges and aspirations.
Hikmatu Bilali