In East and Southern Africa, nearly 8 million young people enter the job market each year, but fewer than a million secure formal employment. At the same time, 6.5 million youth, including 3.6 million women, are neither in school nor employed (formally or informally). This indicates that finding decent employment in Africa remains a real challenge, despite its natural and human resources. It is in this context that the new World Bank program aims to provide them with the necessary skills to access quality jobs.
Thanks to this new regional program designed to support the creation of large-scale jobs, millions of young people in East and Southern Africa will be able to acquire the skills they need to succeed. By 2034, 18 million young people in the region are expected to benefit from better education and a stronger training, which will open up opportunities in key economic sectors. The program will also contribute to the creation of millions of new jobs.
For the World Bank, creating jobs for the rapidly growing African youth is urgent. According to a statement from the international financial institution obtained by ACTUALITE.CD, creating more and better jobs requires sustained investments in physical and human infrastructure. It is crucial to develop all the skills necessary to increase productivity, broaden access to employment, raise wages, implement reforms to create a business-friendly environment, and mobilize private capital.
The “Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs” program in East and Southern Africa (or SET4Jobs as its English acronym) will support countries over an eight-year period with a phased approach to stimulate massive job creation. With funding of $972 million through the International Development Association (IDA), the program aims to channel skill investments towards high-potential value chains for job creation.
“The SET4Jobs program is a transformative investment in Africa’s greatest asset: its youth. In close collaboration with the private sector, we will ensure that their training aligns with booming sectors such as agribusiness, energy, health, tourism, and manufacturing. The goal is to equip millions of young people with the skills needed for good jobs, to thrive and succeed in a modern economy, and to contribute to regional prosperity,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Vice President for East and Southern Africa.
The implementation of the SET4Jobs program will lead to investment projects in the following countries: Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other countries are expected to join the initiative in subsequent phases. The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), which plays a key role in promoting regional cooperation in higher and technical education, will coordinate and work with countries to enhance skill development, higher education, research, and incubation mechanisms for employment.
“The IUCEA has a strong regional experience in enhancing institutional capacities, promoting industry-relevant training, and encouraging applied research and innovation in higher and technical education. With the SET4Jobs program, we are building on this momentum to make higher education and vocational training a powerful engine for job creation and shared prosperity across the region,” said Idris Rai, Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA.
The SET4Jobs program will establish a regional knowledge exchange platform to facilitate effective sharing of experiences and learnings among participating countries. It will leverage IDA resources and advisory services from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to mobilize financing from development partners and the private sector.
“The political will is clear: to create decent and sustainable jobs for the Congolese youth. Aligned with the ‘Rising Congolese Youth’ Presidential Program, SKILLS strengthens vocational training, creates pathways to employment, and supports entrepreneurship. We thank the World Bank for a strategic partnership that turns this vision into measurable impacts,” said Marc Ekila Likombo, Minister of State for Vocational Training.
What will the program entail in the DRC?
According to the international financial institution, the budget allocated to the DRC under the “Skills for Economic Transformation and Employment” program amounts to $300 million and will be implemented over a five-year period. Aligned with the priorities of the DRC’s national strategic development plan, it focuses on diversification, inclusive growth, and skills development as drivers of economic transformation. It complements three ongoing megaprojects in the DRC – Inga 3, Lobito Corridor, and PACT – by providing a pool of highly specialized skills to maximize the impact of these operations.
One of the key interventions will be the creation of the Inga Academy of Excellence in the Kongo Central province. The project will also contribute to the development of targeted institutions to better meet the skills needs of the three megaprojects and more broadly the labor market in six priority sectors: energy and mining; transport and logistics; agriculture and agribusiness; manufacturing industry; tourism; and digital technology.
Who will benefit?
The project is expected to benefit one million young Congolese in acquiring essential skills for success in the job market, covering a wide range of skills from basic to advanced abilities. It will also provide certification training to 120,000 young people who are not in employment, education, or training or are in precarious situations, support 8,000 young entrepreneurs/apprentices, and fund business plans for 5,000 companies (of which 50% are led by women).
Skills development institutions at both secondary and higher levels will receive project support, including infrastructure renovation, equipment modernization, curriculum revision, program development tailored to market needs, and trainer training to enhance their capacity to deliver quality education in line with national priorities and industry needs. From the first year of project implementation, existing training institutions will be strategically selected throughout the country and supported to acquire skills in priority sectors. This is to meet the urgent needs of the labor market until the Inga Academy of Excellence is established.
How will the project be implemented in the DRC?
The implementation of the project in the DRC will be led by the Ministry of Vocational Training, in close coordination with other ministries involved in skills development. It will be managed by a project management unit (PMU) with extensive experience in project implementation, currently supporting the Education Quality Improvement Project (PEQIP). The project will also finance capacity-building activities to strengthen the PMU and ensure efficient and diligent execution.
The project in the DRC, scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026, will strongly involve the private sector to ensure its successful implementation. Private sector participation will include: i) revising and developing market-relevant study programs, ii) faculty training programs, iii) student training and internship opportunities, iv) construction of the Inga Academy of Excellence, v) management and operation of the Academy, vi) awarding scholarships to girls and vulnerable youth, and vii) providing strategic and technical advice.
Clément MUAMBA
