Lucy Ogalue
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is targeting youth employment and economic transformation in West Africa through a regional development meeting scheduled for Oct. 28 to 30 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
This is contained in a statement released by the ECA.
It said the 29th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) for West Africa would focus on unlocking young people’s potential for employment, economic transformation and resilience.
“The meeting, organised by ECA’s Subregional Office for West Africa in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, will be held in a hybrid format.
“It will bring together representatives from 15 West African countries, regional and international institutions, development partners, private sector and civil society stakeholders,” it said.
According to ECA, 61.1 per cent of West Africa’s population was under the age of 25 in 2025, presenting significant opportunities for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
“However, limited economic diversification, low industrialisation, skills gaps and widespread informal employment continue to constrain productive employment and the region’s development potential.
“The session will examine structural barriers to economic transformation and job creation, while exploring practical policy options for harnessing the region’s youthful population.
“Discussions will focus on youth employment, economic diversification, human capital development and resilience to external shocks.
“Participants will also explore how industrial development, regional value chains, digitalisation, innovation and effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can accelerate economic transformation,”it said.
According to the statement, the ICSOE, a statutory deliberative body of ECA, will also review the performance and future work programme of the commission’s Subregional Office for West Africa.
The meeting is expected to identify specific measures for harnessing young people’s potential and adopt a draft report for consideration at the 2027 session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.(NAN)