Youth Futures Policy Research

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 70% under the age of 30. By 2050, African youth will constitute the largest share of the global working-age population. Yet, young people aged 15–24 across the continent continue to face high levels of unemployment and underemployment, often confined to informal and unstable work due to persistent structural barriers—including fragmented policies, weak industrial regulation, and misalignment between education and labor market needs.

While the African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future, realizing this goal demands stronger, evidence-informed policies that can fully harness Africa’s demographic dividend.

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) leads the Policy and Industrial Regulation pillar of the Youth Futures Portfolio in Dignified and Fulfilling Work in Africa—a collaborative research initiative focused on enabling youth access to dignified, sustainable employment. With a USD 2.47 million budget, AFIDEP generates policy-relevant evidence to strengthen youth employment strategies across eight countries: Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.

Working in partnership with CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute, AFIDEP connects research, policy, and practice within a five-pillar consortium that also includes Youth Preparedness, Indigenous Enterprises, a Data Repository, and a Community of Practice (CoP) for stakeholder engagement.

AFIDEP’s approach is youth-centered and inclusive. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), Youth Advisory Committees, and digital storytelling, the project ensures that youth—especially those from marginalized groups such as young women, refugees, and persons with disabilities—are meaningfully involved in shaping solutions that affect their futures.

• Political Economy Analysis (PEA): Examines governance structures and institutional barriers to youth employment policies in eight countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa) to identify reform opportunities (Y1 Q1 – Y2 Q2). Uses mixed methods (desk reviews, key informant interviews, focus groups) with PAR to involve youth in research design and data collection.
• Kenya Gig Economy Case Study: Assesses the scale, impact, and policy challenges of the gig economy for youth employment (Y1 Q2 – Y2 Q4). Employs surveys and qualitative interviews with youth and stakeholders, using digital storytelling to document experiences.
• Policy Scenario Modeling: Forecasts policies leveraging Africa’s demographic transition, the 4th industrial revolution, and digital economy to create dignified work opportunities, focusing on marginalized youth (Y2 Q1 – Y3 Q1). Guided by Youth Advisory Committees for youth-relevant outcomes.
• Economic Analyses: Develops investment cases for youth employment policies, analyzing economic returns and financing mechanisms to spur inclusive work opportunities (Y2 Q3 – Y3 Q1). Incorporates youth input via PAR.
• Youth Training: Trains youth in research-to-policy methodologies and policy engagement to build advocacy and evidence translation skills (Y1 Q2 – Y3 Q2). Supported by Youth Advisory Committees to amplify diverse youth voices.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Translation: Organizes validation workshops, policy dialogues, and CoP webinars/annual conferences to share findings with policymakers, private sector, TVET agencies, and youth networks (Y1 Q3 – Y3 Q3). Develops country-specific policy briefs and engages regional bodies (e.g., African Union, Regional Economic Communities) to drive policy adoption. Leverages CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute’s networks for youth mobilization.

Ethical Considerations: AFIDEP submits research protocols to Institutional Review Boards (e.g., Kenya’s NACOSTI, Ethiopia’s National Research Ethics Review Committee), anonymises personally identifiable information (PII), uses consent forms for digital storytelling, and implements safeguarding policies to protect marginalised youth participants.

AFIDEP’s work aims to achieve:

• Strengthened youth policies and employment strategies: Enhanced industrial, workforce, and trade regulations to improve youth employment opportunities.
• Informed policies for youth opportunities: Evidence from AFIDEP’s research and youth training informs policies to enhance access to training and job opportunities.
• Policy-driven solutions for sustainable job creation: Research-driven policies create dignified, sustainable work opportunities, particularly for marginalized youth.
• Improved gig economy framework: Evidence-based guidelines from the Kenya case study enhance conditions for informal workers.
• Enhanced stakeholder capacity through the Community of Practice: CoP activities equip policymakers, private sector, and youth with evidence and skills for policy and program design.

• CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute (Kenya): Mobilizes youth, private sector, and TVET agencies to support AFIDEP’s interventions.

• Consortium Partners: University of Pretoria (Data Repository), Human Sciences Research Council (Youth Preparedness), Institute of Statistical, Social & Economic Research (ISSER, Indigenous Enterprises), Policy Studies Institute (Ethiopia), NISER (Nigeria), ISRA-BAME (Senegal), ICED (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda).

• Stakeholders: Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), African Union (AU).