Leveraging inclusive industrialization, value addition, and trade to address youth unemployment in Southern Africa Solution Session at the WSSD2, 6 November 2025 10:00 -11:30 SAT, Doha, Qatar
Organizers: UN Economic Commission for Africa
(led by the ECA – Subregional office for Southern Africa
in collaboration with the Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division)
in partnership with the SADC Youth Forum and International Labour Organisation
Under the aegis of the Government of South Africa
Overview of the Session
Youth unemployment remains one of Southern Africa’s most urgent development challenges with rates averaging 34.7%, and far higher among young women. This high-level solution session will spotlight practical, scalable pathways to unlock decent work opportunities for youth through industrialization, regional value chains, AfCFTA implementation, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
The session brings together governments, private sector leaders, development partners, financiers, and youth innovators for a results-oriented dialogue focused on turning Africa’s demographic shift into a transformational economic dividend.
Why This Matters Now
Southern Africa stands at a pivotal moment. Emerging opportunities in:
- AfCFTA-driven intra-African trade
- Agro-processing, light manufacturing & mineral beneficiation
- Digital and green economy transitions can unlock millions of youth jobs, if the right enabling policies, financing, and skills systems are aligned.
This is a solutions-driven platform designed to move from diagnosis to action.
Session Objectives:
Participants will:
- Examine trends and root causes of youth unemployment in the region.
- Evaluate current policy responses & financing architecture.
- Co-design innovative youth enterprise & job creation mechanisms
- Align skills systems (TVET/STEM) with emerging industry demand.
- Explore AfCFTA & regional value chains for youth-led SME expansion.
- Share successful models and policy best practices from across the region.
Expected Outcomes
- Shared strategic understanding of reforms needed
- Concrete, actionable policy/programme recommendations
- Strengthened partnerships between governments, youth actors, the private sector & development institutions
- Outcome brief for policymakers, RECs, and continental partners to inform WSSD2 follow-up
For further information
Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky, Economic Affairs Officer, Subregional Initiatives Section, ECA Subregional office for Southern Africa.
Email: bineswaree.bolaky@un.org