A data revolution to tackle youth unemployment in Africa

Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 60% of people on the continent under the age of 25. Yet, youth unemployment remains a significant challenge. While nearly 13 million young Africans are officially unemployed, another 60 million are neither in education nor employment. The implications of this crisis extend beyond individuals, threatening economic growth and societal stability.

A fresh approach to tackle Africa’s unemployment is needed. The Mastercard Foundation and World Data Lab launched a groundbreaking initiative, the Africa Youth Employment Clock, to aggregate employment data in real time. Data from sources such as the International Labour Organization and national statistics offices reveal employment trends, gaps, and opportunities across the continent.

Data is seldom brought together in a consistent, comparable way in one platform, said Reshma Sheoraj, vice president for strategic engagements at World Data Lab. “If you needed to find the youth unemployment numbers for South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, or anywhere on the continent you would need to go and read a very lengthy report.”

However, this has now changed with the launch of the clock.

“We've developed the Africa Youth Employment Clock where at the click of a button you're able to get those numbers in real time,” said Sheoraj, adding that the data is disaggregated and allows for the comparison between countries so that lessons learned can more easily be identified and shared. “Our whole goal is also to make sure that this data is localized, accessible, and that it's a user-friendly tool that provides actionable insights.”

Demystifying employment data

Subnational data is already available on the clock for six countries — Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya — with plans for expansion. By disaggregating data, it allows comparisons across countries, highlights where interventions are needed most, and identifies sectors poised for growth.

For example, the tool has revealed a shift in some African economies from agriculture toward service industries, underscoring the potential to create high-value jobs in this sector.

“Many African countries regard agriculture as the traditional backbone of their economy. Maybe this is tied to the historical role agriculture has in employment or in the [gross domestic product] of the country. … However, the data on the clock highlights there's a critical opportunity to diversify toward the service sector, which is the most robust sector worldwide,” said Tsion Girma Assefa, a data scientist at World Data Lab. “By pivoting African countries towards these service-oriented industries, we can unlock high-value jobs and give a resilience toward the GDP or the youth employment in a more dignified and fulfilling job.”

The data platform also serves as a valuable resource for a wide range of users. Governments and policymakers can design evidence-based programs, the private sector can identify areas for investment, and young people can use the insights to guide their career choices.

“I hope that the clock will promote the development of targeted policies that actually foster youth employment in the labor market,” Sheoraj said. “I envision it becoming a continental resource, which encourages governments and the private sector to collaborate, share insights, and adopt best practices.”

Harnessing data with a multiplier effect

Mastercard Foundation Acting Senior Director for Research and Learning Eunice Muthengi emphasized the importance of robust data in addressing youth unemployment. “Good data isn’t just about numbers. It helps us understand the human stories behind youth employment challenges, and ensures our resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact,” she said.

Data is “the new gold,”  Assefa said. More insights on how many young people are working, reasons behind why they might not be working, education levels, earnings, and how formal a job is could provide decision-makers and practitioners with insights to be used in crafting more impactful efforts to tackle unemployment, she added.

Muthengi pointed to the broader consequences of youth unemployment, from stunted economic growth to psychological impacts and societal instability. The Young Africa Works Strategy, Mastercard Foundation’s flagship initiative, aims to enable 30 million young people — especially young women — to access dignified work by 2030.

“Through our work, we've seen that addressing youth unemployment creates cascading positive effects across education, health care, gender equality, and economic growth; all priorities for sustainable development in Africa,” Muthengi said. “Our experience shows that employed youth typically reinvest their income locally, creating powerful multiplier effects.”

Creating country-specific solutions

Insights from the Africa Youth Employment Clock are already helping to shape solutions. For instance, data from Nigeria highlights a strong “hustle culture,” said Assefa, with fewer individuals opting out of the labor force compared to other African countries. This kind of localized insight underscores the importance of tailored, country-specific strategies. “Anyone using this data needs to engage deeply with each and every country accurately to capture those differences,” she said.

The tool also provides a way of evaluating existing programs. “By analyzing different outcomes in the job market, policymakers can actually view which interventions are working and which interventions are not working and why, and how can we maybe replicate that in other regions and other places,” Assefa said.

While still in its early stages, the clock has the potential to transform how youth employment is understood and addressed across Africa. For its impact to grow, more partners are needed to expand its reach and leverage its data for decision-making.

“This is not just another data platform — it’s a collaborative tool that can transform how we understand and address youth employment in Africa,” Muthengi said. “By working together, sharing insights, and using this evidence base, we can make more informed decisions and create more effective interventions that truly impact young people's lives.”

Access and learn more about the Africa Youth Employment Clock here.