On November 6, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Southern African Time, a pivotal side session titled “Leveraging Inclusive Industrialization, Value Addition and Trade to Address Youth Unemployment in Southern Africa” will be held virtually. This event, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA) Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa, in collaboration with the Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division and the Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF), aims to confront the pressing issue of youth unemployment in the region. The side session is part of the ongoing Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 happening in Doha, Qatar. (Registration link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7raR3VTASv-ry01SFsDVDQ )
Youth unemployment is a critical challenge faced by many Southern African countries. With a rapidly growing youth population, the need for sustainable job creation has never been more urgent. This session will explore the root causes of youth unemployment and examine how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), value addition, and industrialization can provide innovative solutions.
The session will focus on several key objectives. Participants will examine the trends and underlying causes of youth unemployment, drawing on specific country experiences across the region. The adequacy and effectiveness of existing policies, particularly in skills development and support for youth enterprises, will be assessed. The session aims to identify and co-design innovative policies and financial measures that can scale up youth-led enterprises and job creation, ensuring equitable access for young women. Discussions will explore the links between educational institutions and industry, focusing on aligning skills development strategies—such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM—with the needs of emerging manufacturing sectors. The potential of AfCFTA and regional value chain development will be examined, particularly how these can foster sustainable employment for youth-led SMEs and startups. Innovations and best practices in youth-targeted policies and support schemes will be shared to enhance entrepreneurship and job creation. Finally, the session will aim to formulate actionable recommendations to leverage national and regional industrial strategies for youth enterprise development.
A critical aspect of the dialogue will be exploring innovative financing mechanisms that can support youth-led entrepreneurship and job creation through trade and industry. Special attention will be given to the barriers faced by young women in accessing these financial resources. The alignment of skills development programs with industry needs is vital. The session will stress the importance of vocational training programs that equip youth with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. The event will also delve into the potential for new partnership models between the public sector, private industry, and financial institutions. These partnerships could play a pivotal role in integrating young people into the economic future of the region.
This high-level session during the Second World Summit for Social Development represents a significant opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue about addressing youth unemployment in Southern Africa. In leveraging trade, industrialization, and innovative policies, participants can contribute to creating a more inclusive economic environment that empowers the region’s youth. The outcomes of this session have the potential to shape strategies that not only address unemployment but also foster entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Southern Africa.
Register to attend and intervene during the session at the meeting link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7raR3VTASv-ry01SFsDVDQ
Event Page: more information here: https://www.uneca.org/eca-events/node/2062.
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