AfDB president champions youth employment at World Bank Jobs Council
African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Sidi Ould Tah took centre stage at the World Bank Group’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs on Monday, advocating for youth employment and Africa’s demographic dividend.
Invited by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Dr Ould Tah attended the meeting during the 2025 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. The Council brings together leaders from financial institutions, government, and business to identify investment strategies that create meaningful jobs.
Investing in Africa’s youth and skills
Dr Ould Tah, marking 50 days in office, stressed that Africa’s youth are a strategic asset. “Africa’s youth are not a burden to manage; they are the engine of our continent’s future,” he said. “We need to invest in the right skills, formalise the informal economy, and back MSMEs at scale.”
This year, the Jobs Council focused on tourism and skilling, sectors where Africa holds untapped potential. Tourism already employs one in 20 Africans, but over 80% of these jobs remain informal, lacking social protection, financing, or clear career pathways. Meanwhile, gaps between education and labour market needs continue to restrict youth access to productive work.
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The AfDB president highlighted the Bank’s initiatives, including the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, which has mobilized over $105 billion and is projected to generate 19 million jobs by the end of 2025. He also presented the Youth, Skills and Jobs Marker System, a tool designed to track job quality and inclusion across Bank-financed projects.
Dr Ould Tah shared insights from AfDB’s work supporting tourism-driven micro, small, and medium enterprise ecosystems, and deploying digital-first skilling programs that are bridging workforce gaps for young Africans.
High-level engagement to drive Africa’s transformation
Participation in the Jobs Council is part of Dr Ould Tah’s broader agenda during the Annual Meetings, including bilateral talks with ministers, development partners, and corporate leaders. These discussions reflect the AfDB president’s Four Cardinal Points: mobilising capital at scale, unifying markets, industrialising locally, and investing in talent and technology.
Through these strategic priorities, Dr Ould Tah aims to position youth employment, skills development, and inclusive growth as the cornerstones of Africa’s economic transformation.
