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Despite the continent’s immense potential, characterised by abundant natural resources and a youthful population, unemployment rates among young people have reached alarming levels.
South Africa has the highest number of jobless youth at 60,2 percent, followed by Angola at 56,4 percent. The top 10 list includes Morocco, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Nigeria.
According to the African Development Bank, (AfDB), Africa’s youth population is rapidly growing and expected to double to over 830 million by 2050.
“Of Africa’s nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35, one-third are unemployed and discouraged, another third are vulnerably employed, and only one in six is in wage employment,” the AfDB report noted.
This issue is complex and multifaceted, driven by economic, social, and structural factors that hinder job creation and skills development.
One of the primary reasons for high youth unemployment in Africa is the disconnect between the education system and the needs of the labour market.
Many educational institutions focus on theoretical knowledge rather than practical skills.
In a report for The Conversation, Professor Stephen Onyeiwu argues that most young people seeking to migrate for greener pastures lack the necessary skills to do so.
“This lack of skills is not only a Nigerian problem; it is pervasive across Africa. This explains why much of labour migration — about 80 percent — in Africa is intra-regional, rather than international. It consists mainly of unskilled workers.” he said — Business Insider Africa
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