Youth employment and entrepreneurship value proposition

By 2030, over half of new global labour market entrants will be African. This demographic shift presents an unprecedented opportunity for economic transformation—but only if young people access dignified employment and viable enterprise pathways.

Youth unemployment globally stands at 13.1%, with the highest concentration in Africa and Asia (ILO). In Southern Africa, 50% of young women and 43% of young men lack concrete employment opportunities, while 34% of youth are not in employment, education or training (NEET) - (Population Reference Bureau).

SNV applies a market systems development approach to catalyse youth employment and entrepreneurship across agri-food, energy, water and other high-growth sectors. We partner with governments, private sector actors, financial institutions and youth and youth led enterprises.Young women and men are positioned not as beneficiaries, but as economic actors within functioning markets.