A groundbreaking initiative to tackle Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has been launched in Rwanda, with the introduction of the African Youth Employment Clock on March 21. This innovative digital tool, already operational in several African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, provides real-time job growth monitoring and forecasts employment trends for African youth up to 2030.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) 2023 labour force survey, young people aged 16 to 30 face a high unemployment rate of 21.0 percent. This statistic highlights the unique challenges that young job seekers encounter, such as lack of experience and limited access to the job market.
Ivan Murenzi, Deputy Director General of NISR, emphasized the importance of the African Youth Employment Clock in providing crucial data to stakeholders in Rwanda to address youth unemployment issues. He praised the tool for simplifying information and facilitating discussions on solutions to empower young people economically.
Wolfgang Fengler, CEO of World Data Lab, commended Rwanda’s dynamic labor force and encouraged young people to explore opportunities in sectors like construction and manufacturing. He expressed optimism that the employment clock will contribute to creating more inclusive labor markets in Africa through innovative data modeling and visualization.
Despite challenges such as skills shortages, the Rwandan government offers internship programs to equip young people with the necessary skills for the job market. Amos Mfitundinda from the Rwanda Development Board highlighted the various initiatives available for youth, including internship programs for university graduates and vocational training for those without formal education.
Entrepreneur Anitha Urayeneza emphasized the importance of women acquiring education and skills to compete for job opportunities. She called for public-private dialogues to promote job creation and support youth and women in the workforce.
The African Youth Employment Clock, developed by World Data Lab and the Mastercard Foundation, represents a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment in Africa through data-driven insights and collaboration between stakeholders.