By Jean Baptiste Ndabananiye
Africa stands on the brink of a transformational shift, poised to become the world’s largest provider of a global workforce within a few decades. The Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy aims to harness this demographic surge to propel the continent toward unprecedented socio-economic progress. With the ambitious goal of enabling 30 million young Africans, especially women, to secure dignified and fulfilling employment by 2030, the initiative recognizes youth employment as the cornerstone of prosperity.
By aligning formal education and vocational training with market needs, leveraging technology to connect talent and opportunities, and empowering entrepreneurs to expand, the strategy addresses the urgent need to close the skills gap and create meaningful jobs. As Africa’s youth surge onto the global stage, Young Africa Works seeks not only to generate employment but also to redefine the continent’s future, transforming challenges into pathways out of poverty.
The African Union highlights that Africa boasts the world’s youngest population, with more than 400 million young people aged 15 to 35. This youthful demographic demands significant investment in economic and social development to improve the development index across African nations. “Such a youthful population calls for an increase of investment in economic and social development factors, in order to improve the development index of African nations,” states the African Union. The Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to empowering 30 million young Africans constitutes an important step, yet it also underscores the need for collective efforts. If around 13 institutions could commit to similar targets, all 400 million young Africans could be reached by 2030, creating a transformative wave of progress across the continent. This article includes these key parts:
- Why the Mastercard Foundation is empowering Africa’s youth
- TVET in Africa, an area being promoted, as a potential aspect to empower youth
- Call to action
Mastercard Foundation points out “Using youth employment as a key measure of socio-economic progress, we aim to help millions of people to find a pathway out of poverty. As part of the Young Africa Works strategy, we will deepen our engagement in some countries to better understand their economic aspirations and identify priority sectors for growth.”
This foundation underlines that it will partner with governments and the private sector, to formulate a long-term plan for each country of focus which will “Improve the quality of education and vocational training so that they equip young people with the skills employers need; leverage technology to connect employers and job seekers, and drive growth; and enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand through access to financial services.”
As demonstrated by the photo, Rwanda is one of the countries with which the foundation works, to advance education where the summer camp program constitutes one of collaboration areas between Rwanda and the foundation. According to the University of Rwanda, its Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Strategic Planning and Administration, Dr. Raymond Ndikumana— exhorting the 300 summer camp program participant scholars to stay focused and disciplined to attain their academic and career objectives, enabling them to create an impact in their communities as transformative leaders of tomorrow—said “This is a program we are really privileged and honored to participate in. We’re developing the next generation of transformative leaders. We want to see you accelerate at full round. You therefore need to be focused and disciplined to achieve your academic and professional goals.”
This university says that the camp forms one of activities organized by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, a 10-year program (2021-2031) being executed at the university to support academically talented youth in Africa who sustain social and economic barriers acquiring quality university education. “It aims to offer a transformative experience to enhance scholars’ academic performance, leadership skills, personal growth, and sense of community and impact. The sessions being covered include enhancing scholars’ digital literacy, career development and professional networking, and boosting scholars’ English proficiency, mental health and emotional intelligence, sexual reproductive health as well as entrepreneurship and employability skills.”
Through this program, scholars are also sharpened in communication, public speaking and debating skills, leadership, financial literacy, gender equality and gender-based violence, and leveraging social media for meaningful connections, among other topics. Clarisse Murekatete, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar in General Medicine and Surgery, Level 3 at the university shared “We’re expected to be transformative leaders. The sessions are really sharpening us to be transformed so that we can, in turn, transform others. Each day, we are gaining new insights and skills that empower us to make a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond.”
Why the Mastercard Foundation is empowering Africa’s youth
The reason behind the Mastercard Foundation’s intervention in this sphere in Africa aligns with the current urgent calls, from various institutions, to Africa’s demographic potential. “Why the Young Africa Works strategy? Africa is the youngest and fastest-growing continent in the world. By 2030, there will be 375 million young people in the job market in Africa. Within a few decades, this demographic boom will push Africa’s workforce to more than a billion people, the largest in the world.”
In its latest edition in this particular beat of Education, Life In Humanity has underlined the issue of skills gap as an urgent challenge that has to be solved, if Africa is to really offer a global workforce. The Mastercard Foundation echoes it, suggesting the reason why the strategy has been devised. “A significant gap between the number of young people seeking work and the limited employment opportunities available to them means that they will face challenges finding formal employment and a pathway out of poverty. Moreover, for some time we’ve observed a mismatch between the skills of young people entering the workforce and the needs of employers.” The mentioned article in Life In Humanity details skills required for young Africans to be able to compete worldwide and then smoothly satisfy the demands of global employment. One of the skills is proficiency in the most spoken languages on the globe, English being one of them.
Meanwhile, Population Reference Bureau (PRB) says “By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world’s youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. With such a large population of young people, supportive policies and programs on inclusive youth development are critical now more than ever. Harnessing the demographic dividend and expanding opportunities for young people—to the benefit of all Africans—will require sound data and evidence on the status of African youth.”
The United Nations also affirms that the huge number of Africans actually represents a gargantuan opportunity, yet on a certain condition. “Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. Such a high number of young people is an opportunity for the continent’s growth – but only if these new generations are fully empowered to realise their best potential. It is especially important that young people are given appropriate opportunities for work and to innovate. Involving young people in politics and society is not merely a question of inclusion, but one that is vital for economic growth, innovation, peace and security.”
TVET in Africa, an area being promoted,as a potential aspect to strengthen youth
Africa Renewal is a publication by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), aimed at providing information and insights about Africa’s development, opportunities, and challenges. In its 4 October 2024 story “Unlocking the potential of Africa’s youth”, it explains the reason why technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential for equipping young Africans with the skills needed for a thriving society.
TVET represents another field that holds the heart of the Mastercard Foundation. For example, it is running the Young Africa Works – TVET program which is meant for improving TVET systems across Africa. The program— focusing on enhancing the quality, accessibility, and relevance of TVET to better equip young people with the skills needed for the job market and entrepreneurship— forms part of the broader Young Africa Works strategy. For instance in Kenya, the goal of the program is “to strengthen TVET institutions to be model institutions that will increase the participation of young people, particularly young women, in market-relevant skills training programs and ultimately increase the number of young people in dignified and fulfilling work.”
“The program is open to young women and men (aged 18-35) from all counties in Kenya who are passionate about success in life, which starts with access to quality, relevant, and practical education and skills.Competency-based Education and Training (CBET) courses have been launched at 101 TVET institutions across 33 counties in Kenya.”
Back to Africa Renewal, its story has been written by Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas and Mr. Snorre Westgaard. Bekele-Thomas serves as the CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), while Westgaard acts as the Chairman at Humana People to People. Africa Renewal states “By 2050, Africa’s youth population, already the largest in the world, is projected to double to over 830 million. The OECD reports that by the same year, the continent’s working-age population (15-64 years old) will rise from 849 million in 2024 to 1.56 billion, accounting for 85% of the global workforce increase.”
“Africa’s boundless potential offers an unparalleled opportunity for progress. However, many young people across the continent today face job uncertainty. By expanding opportunities for youth to shape their careers and improve their lives, we can unlock Africa’s full potential, and foster transformative growth and prosperity. To fully harness this vast potential, aligning Africa’s economic strategies with the realities of its growing youth population is crucial.”
This quarterly magazine reports that the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Africa’s Agenda 2063 furnishes a comprehensive roadmap, stressing socio-economic development through industrialization, regional integration, and expanded markets across the continent. The framework highlights key fields- like pharmaceutical manufacturing, agro-processing, automobile manufacture and repair, renewable energy, trade, services, and digital technologies- offering tremendous opportunities for young people.
It adds “However, these sectors require a workforce equipped with both practical skills and innovative problem-solving abilities.” It is here that TVET intervenes, according to the UN’s publication on Africa, to fill in the skills gap. “Why TVET? Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential for equipping young Africans with the skills needed for a thriving society. TVET goes beyond job preparation—it empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to their communities and become architects of progress.
By providing practical skills and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, TVET drives innovation and economic growth. According to UNESCO-UNEVOC, TVET graduates are twice as likely to become entrepreneurs compared to those with general education. Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that for every $1 invested in TVET, there can be up to $15 in increased economic returns.”
The publication contends that TVET’s impact reaches beyond economic growth and that in spheres— such as healthcare, construction, and agriculture— vocational training saves lives, constructs homes, and nourishes families. “For instance, a young person trained in agriculture who implements innovative farming practices boosts local food production, enhances food security, and improves community well-being.
When it comes to addressing climate change, TVET plays a fundamental role. By integrating green skills into training programs, young people are equipped to lead in sustainable practices, creating a future where economic growth and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.”
Despite this, TVET is suffering challenges which demand action though Africa Renewal addresses a certain initiative which is geared to combatting those challenges. “Despite these clear benefits, TVET is often misunderstood and undervalued, seen as a secondary option rather than a powerful driver of progress for many African youth. This is why Humana People to People and AUDA-NEPAD are joining forces to launch the Africa Skills Revolution Competition. This initiative is more than just a competition; it’s a transformative movement aimed at reshaping TVET narratives and showcasing its immense potential among African youth.
The Africa Skills Revolution Competition will provide a platform for young Africans to share their TVET success stories, amplifying their voices and highlighting the diverse and rewarding career paths TVET can offer. This competition will foster a sense of community and collaboration among young people across the continent, encouraging them to learn from each other’s experiences and achievements.”
Call to action
The producers of the Africa Renewal story underscore that it is imperative to invest in African youth’s skills, aspirations, and potential, as people envision a future where Africa’s youth will increasingly drive the continent’s development. “The decisions we make today, in strengthening TVET systems across Africa, will determine whether this vast youth demographic becomes the engine of growth and innovation or a lost opportunity.
We call upon governments, private sector leaders, and international organizations to take bold action. By investing in TVET, these stakeholders can ensure that every young person has the tools and opportunities to contribute to a thriving, sustainable future. Let us embrace this challenge together and build the Africa we want—one where every young person plays a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s progress.”
Mastercard Foundation says “As we do this, we will continue to learn, share knowledge, catalyze innovation, and mobilize others across the continent.” With the quote, Life In Humanity understands that Mastercard Foundation is also determined to rally support for the quality education of young Africans.
The Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to continuously learning, sharing knowledge, catalyzing innovation, and mobilizing others indicates a broader strategy designed not only to transform Africa but also encourage other development actors to engage in this critical mission. In a world increasingly characterized by an aging population, the urgency of investing in Africa’s youth extends beyond the continent itself. Countries with declining birth rates and an aging workforce face significant challenges that could impede their economic growth and sustainability. By empowering Africa’s young people with the right education and skills, these nations can not only be investing in the continent’s future but also securing their own economic stability.
If other continents fail to support the educational needs of African youth, they risk facing a future marked by labor shortages, economic stagnation, and a loss of innovation and dynamism. The interconnectedness of today’s global economy means that the well-being of one region significantly influences the stability and prosperity of others. Therefore, it is imperative that global stakeholders recognize the urgency of this investment, as neglecting Africa’s young population could lead to profound consequences that affect all corners of the globe.
That is why Life In Humanity suggests that other 13 development partners like the Mastercard Foundation should join the fight to bolster Africa’s education; which can bridge the current gap and thus benefit the entire world. In other words, experiences or partnerships that we spot in other fields like Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) should be introduced in the struggle to arm young Africans with the necessary knowledge and skills. AGRA is a partnership between African governments, the private sector, international institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation, and other donors. Its goal is to transform agriculture in Africa by upgrading access to seeds, soil health, and markets. This initiative has resulted in increased agricultural productivity and food security in several countries; which substantiates that such an approach can beget tremendous achievements in the realm of education.