The World Bank Group has launched the Africa Skills for Jobs Policy Academy Program in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to address the significant youth unemployment challenge across Africa. This initiative, a partnership with the Government of Kenya, will run from September 30 to October 3, 2025, to foster joint learning and collaboration.

• Nearly 70% of young people globally are either unemployed or in low-quality jobs, with over 12 million African youth entering the labor force annually to compete for 3 million formal jobs.
• The program involves over 250 participants from over 25 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, including representatives from Ministries of Finance, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ministries, and leaders from key sectors like agribusiness, energy, and manufacturing.
• Mary Porter Peschka, Regional Director for IFC Eastern Africa at the World Bank Group, emphasized the need for collaboration between governments, educators, and the private sector to solve the jobs challenge.