ITUC-Africa Urges Decent Jobs for African Youth

On the occasion of the 2026 International Youth Day, ITUC-Africa General Secretary Comrade Joel Odigie stated that Africa, rich in resources, has a young population where 60% are under 25 years old. Despite this, 55.6 million young people in sub-Saharan Africa were projected to be out of employment, education, or training by 2025, with an increase to 58.9 million expected by 2027.

Odigie linked these figures to the dangerous migration journeys many youths undertake, asserting that migration should be a choice rather than a necessity due to unemployment. He called for equal treatment and decent wages for young migrant workers and urged African governments to implement adequately funded employment programs, fair taxation, and skills development.

Additionally, he advocated for the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 193 to promote decent work in the platform economy. Odigie expressed a vision for an Africa where every young person can work and live with dignity.