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Youth

African Entrepreneurs Urge Governments to Reduce Public Sector Hiring

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

African entrepreneurs are calling on governments to reduce hiring in the public sector, citing a rapidly growing youth population and the need for greater economic growth. According to the World Economic Forum, entrepreneurship is not only about creating a business but also about opening opportunities, driving innovation, and fostering overall development. A paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Government Education Management and Tourism in January 2025 highlighted entrepreneurship as the most effective tool to fight unemployment, emphasizing its potential to stimulate innovation, generate large-scale jobs, and improve living standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • African entrepreneurs are urging governments to reduce public sector hiring to relieve pressure on government budgets and stimulate economic growth.
  • The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) Director General Hassen Hussein highlighted the need to reduce public sector hiring, noting that sub-Saharan Africa has one of the lowest numbers of private enterprises per person.
  • The African Union has taken steps to address youth unemployment through initiatives such as the AU ILO Youth Employment Strategy, the Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy for Africa, and the Social Solidarity Economy Ecosystem.
  • According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), Africa has the youngest population in the world, with an average age of only 19 years.
  • By 2050, nearly one third of the global youth population will come from sub-Saharan Africa, and most of them cannot afford to remain unemployed.
  • The ILO has called for greater investment in skills development, particularly in green, digital, and care economies, to create sustainable jobs and unlock Africa's economic growth potential.

Statistics:

  • 26% of young Africans are neither employed nor enrolled in education or training.
  • Over the next two decades, more than 350 million young people will reach working age in Africa.
  • Africa has the youngest population in the world, with an average age of 19 years.
  • By 2050, nearly one third of the global youth population will come from sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the lowest numbers of private enterprises per person.

Sources:

  • Ethiopian Press Agency, August 30, 2025.
  • World Economic Forum, [no specific date].
  • Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Government Education Management and Tourism, January 2025.
  • International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 report.
  • AU ILO Youth Employment Strategy, [no specific date].
  • AU Agenda 2063 and the ILO Abidjan Declaration.

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