Hopes are high that the private sector will take the lead in tackling unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, such confidence should not negate state responsibility for employment creation. National governments have a key role to play in making job creation inclusive. This implies lifting the constraints that especially young and female entrepreneurs face, creating a stable business environment, and promoting links to the local economy so that (international) businesses and entrepreneurs can innovate, invest and grow and, hence, create jobs.

This was the main message from INCLUDE’s roundtable discussion on ‘Productive Employment’, hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 15 December 2016. During separate breakout sessions, participants discussed the employment potential of key economic sectors: agriculture, industry & manufacturing, infrastructure & construction, and services & ICT. This was followed by a plenary and interactive discussion on how entrepreneurs, particularly female entrepreneurs, can be supported to expand their businesses and create jobs.

The key messages that emerged from the meeting are as follows:

  • Job creation should be the top priority in national development plans. Employment programmes need to be positioned in key ministries and properly coordinated.
  • Although the private sector in the end creates job opportunities, national governments are responsible for guaranteeing a business environment that allows entrepreneurs to grow and hire employees. Partnerships between governments and the private sector are key to overcoming governance challenges and conflicts of interests.
  • Rather than a sector-based approach, national employment strategies should recognize the heterogeneity and interdependence of different sectors. Investments in a certain sector (e.g. ICT) have the potential to spill over to other sectors, thereby having a multiplier effect on employment.
  • The organization of small-scale farmers is key to successful value chain integration; however, farmers are a heterogeneous group and should be provided with choices as to how they are organized, contracted and trained.
  • Public and private investment projects (e.g. in industry and infrastructure) should be embedded in the local economy.
  • Development plans should be focused on lifting the constraints that informal workers face and on making sure that theybenefit from being regulated and/or formalized.
  • Women require specific attention in employment programmes; government policy should be particularly geared towards supporting women’s organizations.

In preparation of the roundtable discussion, the INCLUDE Secretariat drafted a discussion paper ‘Productive employment for inclusive development in Africa– what do we know?’. You can find this discussion paper here.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related items

INCLUDE at COP29: Shaping a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition

At COP29 in Baku, INCLUDE showcased Africa’s commitment to a fair and inclusive low-carbon future…

Join Us at the UN Future Summit Side Event!

You’re Invited! Join Us at the UN Future Summit Side Event Youth in Front: Opportunities…

Reflections on a Symposium: Decent Jobs for Youth and Women in Nigeria’s Low-Carbon Transition

INCLUDE recently hosted a high-level symposium titled "Decent Jobs for Youth and Women in Nigeria’s Low-Carbon Transition: Insights from Nigeria," which brought together lawmakers including a large array of members of the House committee on renewable energy, climate change and youth among others.  Experts and other key policy stakeholders were also gracing the event to explore the intersection of renewable energy and inclusive job creation.

5 Key insights for greening TVET in the solar industry in Africa

This year INCLUDE joined the Solar Hands-on Training and International Network of Exchange (SHINE). In this EU-funded consortium, we are working together with African VET schools and European partners on greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for the solar industry in Africa. As the research partner, we are laying the project's theoretical foundation. Through literature review and discussions with experts and practitioners, we have gleaned key insights that are shared in this blog. 

Infographic: How to Make Plastic Waste Work for Green & Decent Jobs for Youth in Africa

Plastic waste recycling presents an opportunity to create sustainable jobs while benefiting the environment. But the question remains, how can stakeholders contribute to a conducive waste recycling ecosystem, unlocking its green job potential among Africa’s youth? We are excited to present an infographic showcasing the pathways and recommendations for Green & Decent Jobs for Youth in Africa.