Africa is at a pivotal moment. Recent global disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, to sharp declines in foreign aid, have exposed the continent’s structural vulnerabilities. At the same time, Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 60% under the age of 25. As development aid shrinks by an estimated $50 billion annually and fiscal space tightens, investing in youth is not just urgent, but it’s essential.
Last year at the 2024 AVPA Conference held in Nairobi, this was the focus of the powerful session “The Youth Factor: Africa’s Path to Sustainable Jobs and Growth.” Panelists agreed: future-proofing Africa means equipping young people with skills, jobs, entrepreneurship pathways, and platforms for civic engagement. Building on that momentum, this year we turn our focus to the theme: Jobs and the Future of Work.
The theme will explore the evolving employment landscape, particularly within the creative industries and job tech sectors. As technology continues to reshape how and where we work, job tech solutions are emerging as critical tools, bridging skills gaps, expanding access to opportunity, and enhancing employability across the continent.
Each year, 11 million young Africans enter the workforce, but only 3 million jobs exist. Yet across the continent, promising solutions are emerging. The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment is creating thousands of jobs across 11 countries, with a strong focus on young women. Acumen has deployed $169 million into social enterprises. Shortlist’s Futures Lab has connected thousands of youth with green economy jobs and remote work tools, proving that access, not location, is the true barrier. Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works is making a significant impact, aiming to connect 30 million young people, 70% of them women, to dignified work by 2030, and already reaching over 1.27 million youth in Ethiopia alone. In Kenya, the program targets 7 million youth, focusing on agriculture, MSMEs, and the digital economy.
A green jobs report by Shortlist, FSD Africa, and ECG projects 3 million new green jobs by 2030, many of which require short-term, specialized training rather than traditional degrees. Agriculture, once overlooked by youth, is now being reimagined as a viable and innovative career path, offering potential for value addition and export.
At AVPA, we’re aligning capital with youth potential. Our Deal Share Platform helps channel investment into youth-led and youth-impacting enterprises. Through Deal Share Live, we provide curated, interactive sessions where high-potential ventures can connect directly with funders and ecosystem partners. The Youth-Focused Deal Share in June 2025 spotlighted youth-driven enterprises raising funding from $20,000 to $2 million, whether through debt, equity, or grants.
Africa’s youth are not tomorrow’s leaders—they are today’s dealmakers and changemakers. With the right support, they can transform the continent. The time to invest is now.
Join us in Nairobi from 3rd to 5th November for the 2025 AVPA Conference as we continue to explore how to equip Africa’s youth with the skills, opportunities, and platforms they need to thrive. We will spotlight strategies that drive employment, entrepreneurship, and meaningful youth engagement across the continent.