Having a job provides a person not only with a source of income but also a basis for dignity and self-respect. To be leaders in the context of their families and in the broader community, young Africans need to find a decent job.
However, young people have a hard time in African job markets; with inadequate education and skills and few opportunities, most young Africans face a future of low-wage employment, unemployment and underemployment. An increasing youth population adds to the pool of job seekers every year, worsening the situation.
Young African women also face particular barriers in the labour market, much of which is attributable to cultural attitudes towards them. The expansion of employment opportunities is far below the growth in the youth population because of a lack of appropriate technologies and investment. For example, Africa’s
continued dependence on rain-fed agriculture causes much underemployment among rural youth for most part of the year. With little access to land, these youth lack educational, economic and cultural opportunities. As a result, young people consciously decide to move to the towns in the hope of greater chances for employment, as well as a more exciting life, causing massive urban drift.
Sadly, once in the big city, African youth lose hope of finding a decent job and are compelled to cross dangerous paths and waters to better pastures, with all too tragic consequences. International observers report that less than one-third of the thousands of young Africans who attempt to reach Europe through the Sahara desert make it to their dream destinations.
Another problem is the rising incidence of youth poverty, crime, prostitution and drugs among youth, as well as the involvement in armed conflict - direct consequence of the lack of decent jobs.2 This is of particular concern, not only due to its profound impact on the lives of young people but for society as a whole.
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