The Centre for the Future of Work team recently had the privilege of participating in a remarkable three-day convening in Accra, Ghana, centered around Youth Futures in Dignified and Fulfilling Work in Africa. This gathering brought together stakeholders from across the continent, including policy advisors, data scientists, young entrepreneurs, and researchers, all united by a shared goal: advancing opportunities for Africa’s youth in the future of work.

Africa’s Youth Demographic: A Defining Global Reality

The numbers tell a powerful story about Africa’s demographic trajectory:

• In 2023: 1 in 5 young people globally were African
• By 2030: 1 in 4 young people will be African
• By 2100: 1 in 3 young people will be African

In fact, six countries alone—Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Niger—will account for more than 50% of the continent’s added youth population between 2023 and 2030.

This unprecedented growth underscores why investing in research, collaboration, and practical solutions for Africa’s youth is not just urgent—it is essential.

Questions That Matter: Exploring Informality and Opportunity

One of the critical issues we engaged with partners on was: What makes a sector informal? Understanding the nuances of informality, and its implications for decent work, is key to shaping policy and practice that can drive inclusive economic growth.

By addressing such fundamental questions, our team and partners are working to make a meaningful contribution to research on the future of work for African youth.

Collaboration in Action

Throughout the convening, our team engaged in dynamic discussions on how data-driven insights can help reshape the narrative of youth employment, inform national and continental policy, and unlock new avenues for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Importantly, the convening also emphasized the need to include marginalized groups in these conversations—ensuring that young people living with disabilities, those in rural communities, and other often-overlooked voices are meaningfully represented in shaping the future of work.

The ultimate takeaway remains clear: No research about the youth should be done without them.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to carry the momentum of this convening into the next six months of collaborative research and impact, deepening our commitment to ensuring that the voices and aspirations of young Africans are at the heart of solutions for dignified and fulfilling work.