Africa's youth unemployment challenge is no longer just about job creation; it is about skills alignment.
Dr Mona Mourshed, founding CEO of Generation: You Employed, says employers across Africa are struggling to find job-ready talent, even as millions of young people seek employment.
Her solution is simple but disruptive: focus on practical skills, real employer partnerships, and measurable job outcomes at scale.
Africa's Youth Employment Turning Point
Africa is home to the world's youngest population; however, millions of its young people remain locked out of formal employment.
According to Dr Mona Mourshed, founding CEO of Generation: You Employed, the problem is not just a shortage of jobs, it is a mismatch between what young people are taught and what employers need.
"We don't have a talent shortage. We have a skills alignment problem," Mourshed said in a recent Q&A.
Across Africa, companies report difficulty filling entry-level roles, while youth unemployment continues to rise. The disconnect, she argues, is costing economies productivity and young people their futures.
Why Degrees Are No Longer Enough
Generation was founded to tackle a simple question: how do you train young people for real jobs, not just theoretical qualifications?
The organisation designs short, intensive training programmes focused on practical, employer-validated skills. These programmes target roles such as customer service, digital marketing, data analysis, healthcare support, and technical trades, sectors with immediate labour demand.
Crucially, employers are involved from the start. They help design the curriculum, define the skills needed, and often hire graduates directly.
Mourshed explains that many young Africans leave school without exposure to workplace expectations, soft skills, or applied training. "Employers care about whether someone can actually do the job," she said, "not just whether they have a certificate."
Generation's Skills-First Model
| Element | Approach |
|---|---|
| Training | Short, practical, job-focused |
| Employers | Co-design curriculum |
| Youth | Target underserved groups |
| Outcomes | Jobs, retention, income growth |
Since its launch, Generation has trained hundreds of thousands of young people globally, including in African markets.
Job placement rates consistently outperform traditional education pathways.
Jobs That Change Life Trajectories
For young people, employment is more than income—it is dignity, stability, and opportunity. Mourshed notes that when youth secure stable work, the benefits ripple through families and communities.
Graduates report higher earnings, better job retention, and improved confidence. Many become role models in their communities, proving that skills—not connections—can open doors.
Africa's economic growth depends on this shift. With millions entering the labour market each year, scalable skills training could unlock productivity across sectors, e.g. technology, healthcare, logistics, and services.
What Skills-Based Training Delivers
| Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|
| Employment | Higher job placement |
| Productivity | Better workforce readiness |
| Inclusion | Access for disadvantaged youth |
| Growth | Stronger local economies |
But without reform, Mourshed warns, the gap between education and employment will continue to widen, leaving young people frustrated and businesses understaffed.
Partnerships That Unlock Employment
The key to scaling impact, Mourshed says, is collaboration. Governments, employers, educators, and development partners must collaborate to redesign how youth are prepared for work.
Public policy should support skills-based training, apprenticeships, and employer-led curricula. Companies must invest in entry-level talent pipelines instead of expecting "perfect" candidates.
Donors and development institutions can fund programmes that prioritise measurable employment outcomes.
"Youth employment isn't a social issue alone; it's an economic imperative,"
Mourshed said.
"When young people work, economies grow."
Africa's future workforce depends on acting now.
PATH FORWARD – Scaling Skills for Youth Jobs
Africa must shift from degree-focused education to skills-driven training aligned with the needs of its labour market.
Strong employer partnerships, practical curricula, and outcome-based funding are essential.
With coordinated action, scalable models like Generation can help millions of young Africans transition into meaningful work, fueling inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience.
Culled From: Partnering to Unlock Youth Employment: Q&A with Dr Mona Mourshed, founding CEO of Generation: You Employed and https://youtu.be/7WV2j67Eatk
