KENYA ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP OF JOBS FOR YOUTH IN AFRICA COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE (CoP)

Kenya has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) Community of Practice (CoP) from the Republic of Rwanda, a significant milestone in continental efforts to accelerate youth employment and economic inclusion across Africa. As he accepted the mantle during the Jobs for Youth in Africa Community of Practice Knowledge Exchange summit in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Hon. Salim Mvurya reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing implementation, measurable results, and scalable impact across Member States. “On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I am deeply honoured to formally accept the Chairmanship of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Community of Practice. Kenya assumes this responsibility with humility, clarity of purpose, and unwavering commitment. We pledge to shift our collective focus firmly toward delivery, accountability, and results,” he stated. The Community of Practice, spearheaded by 20 African Member States and supported by the World Bank and other development partners, serves as a continental platform for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and the scaling of evidence-based solutions aimed at addressing youth unemployment and underemployment. During its one-year tenure, Kenya intends to steer the CoP through three strategic pillars: market-responsive skills development, enterprise growth as the backbone of job creation, and strengthened data-driven accountability systems. In his address, the Cabinet Secretary underscored the urgency of coordinated continental action, noting that over 60 per cent of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, with an estimated annual youth employment gap of more than 10 million jobs. He emphasised that this demographic reality presents both an immense opportunity and a profound responsibility for African governments to create decent, dignified, and sustainable employment pathways. “Investment in Africa’s young people is not merely a social intervention, it is the engine of economic growth, the anchor of stability, and the foundation of long-term cohesion across our continent. When we empower youth with skills, opportunity, and access to markets, we unlock Africa’s demographic dividend and transform it into productive capital,” he noted. The CS highlighted Kenya’s experience as a practical model for scaling youth employment solutions. “Through the NYOTA program, Digital Jobs Agenda (Kazi Mtandaoni), Affordable Housing, Climate WorX and other legacy projects, thousands of young people are being trained, mentored and onboarded into public spaces and online work, business process outsourcing, and digital entrepreneurship, contributing to approximately 1,807,000 jobs created through public sector expansion and flagship interventions,” he outlined. As incoming Chair, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to stewarding the Community of Practice with transparency, inclusivity, and ambition. Hon. Mvurya further stressed that the CoP must move beyond dialogue to measurable action.“Investment in Africa’s young people is not merely a social programme; it is economic growth, stability, and cohesion across our continent. When we empower youth with skills, enterprise support, and access to markets, we transform Africa’s demographic dividend into productive capital.” Additionally, Kenya expressed its commitment to strengthening peer learning, harmonising standards, scaling evidence-based interventions, and ensuring that data-driven accountability guides policy and implementation across Member States. The high-level Knowledge Exchange Summit was attended by Mr. Ndiamé Diop, Regional Vice President of the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa; Fikirini Jacobs, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy; representatives from participating Member States; development partners; private sector leaders; and youth delegates.