The World Bank highlights the number of young adults aged 15 to 24 who are neither employed nor in education or training in Africa.
According to the report “21st Century Africa – Governance and Growth,” published on May 12, 2025, the number of young graduates who are neither employed nor in education or training (NEETs – Not in Education, Employment, or Training) is increasing in Africa, including in countries with expanding economies, such as Ghana.
For sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage is almost 30%. Niger is by far the worst performer, with nearly 70%.
Despite improvements in Angola, Kenya, and Mauritius, the situation has worsened in Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Togo, and Uganda. “It is crucial that young people completing their education can develop the knowledge acquired during their studies in the workplace, before that knowledge deteriorates,” the World Bank states.
According to the report, this situation stems from a mismatch between the supply of training and the demand. “African labor markets suffer from a shortage of skilled workers across all sectors, but are particularly in need of technicians and science professionals.”
Reforming Apprenticeships and Internships
To combat this phenomenon, the World Bank recommends “strengthening governance in apprenticeships, including reforming apprenticeships and internships, formalizing the role of employers in skills development, and diversifying learning pathways.”
The report also cites several successful initiatives as examples, such as the “Nigeria Youth Employment and Social Support Operation,” an organization that trains young people, offers them internships, and provides them with tools. According to the report, 72% of young people who went through this organization find employment or become self-employed.
This article, produced by Afriscitech, was published by NewsTank Education & Research on June 26, 2025. It is reproduced with the kind permission of NewsTank, and has been translated by Afriscitech.
