The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called on West African governments to make youth employment a priority in their economic transformation strategies.
The ECA issued this statement on Friday in Abuja.
The commission made this call during the 29th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for West Africa (ICSOE) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The three-day meeting, held from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30, is organised by ECA’s Subregional Office for West Africa in partnership with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
The event brings together representatives from 15 West African countries, regional institutions, development partners, private sector operators, civil society organisations and other experts.
The meeting is themed: “Unlocking the Potential of Young People in West Africa: Pathways to Employment, Economic Transformation and Resilience”.
ECA’s Director for West Africa, Ms Ngone Diop, said youth employment should be central to economic transformation, not treated as a separate issue.
Diop noted that 60.9 per cent of West Africa’s population was under 25 years in 2026, describing this demographic as a significant development opportunity.
She emphasised that unlocking this potential requires investment in relevant skills, productive employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities.
Diop also called for better alignment between education and labour market needs, increased investment in productive sectors and enhanced regional cooperation.
Earlier, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, urged participating countries to turn discussions into measurable commitments to empower young people.
Speaking on behalf of the country’s Vice-President, Barlay proposed an action-oriented Freetown Declaration on Youth Empowerment. She encouraged member states to set clear targets and commit to concrete measures, noting that Sierra Leone would announce its commitment later. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Ms Seraphine Wakana, called for ongoing collaboration among governments, regional institutions and development partners. Wakana urged participants to move beyond discussion and develop practical recommendations and partnerships to accelerate progress in the region. The meeting is expected to generate recommendations for turning West Africa’s demographic potential into productive employment, economic resilience and improved livelihoods.d livelihoods.
