• Skills mismatches are limiting youth employment in Africa as job creation lags demographic growth.
• More than 70.9 million young Africans were NEET in 2025, representing about 23% of the youth population.
• Only around 9% of African youth have completed technical or vocational training, far below the global average.

Reskilling refers to the acquisition of new skills that enable workers to change occupations or adapt to evolving professional environments. This approach does not focus on general education but instead targets market-driven skills aligned with employer demand.

As automation, digitalization, and economic transitions reshape labor markets, reskilling is emerging as a practical response to persistent skills shortages. The International Labour Organization (ILO) says targeted training programs support smoother career transitions and help correct long-standing imbalances between the supply of skills and labor market demand.

On the ground, this mismatch is particularly visible in Africa. Multiple studies show that a significant share of young workers believe their skills do not match their jobs, whether due to underqualification or overqualification. This trend highlights a structural disconnect between education systems and economic realities.

Why reskilling is critical for Africa’s youth

Africa’s youth face a combined demographic and employment challenge. According to the ILO, more than 70.9 million young Africans were not in employment, education, or training in 2025, accounting for roughly 23% of the continent’s total youth population.

This challenge is compounded by limited access to quality technical and vocational education. Official data show that only about 9% of young Africans have completed technical or vocational training, well below the global average, which limits their ability to acquire practical, job-ready skills.

In many countries, most graduates work in jobs that do not match their qualifications, further deepening the skills-employment gap. In Côte d’Ivoire, for example, a recent study showed that nearly 76% of young graduates hold positions unrelated to their qualifications, underscoring the scale of the mismatch between training systems and economic needs.

These realities underline the urgency of investing in reskilling programs focused on practical skills and fast-growing occupations. Such investments could help convert Africa’s demographic momentum into a driver of sustainable and inclusive employment.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum