The United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have urged African governments and international partners to prioritise job creation and employment-focused strategies as a sustainable solution to the continent’s persistent crises.
Speaking at a side event during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), UN and ILO officials stressed that decent work, skills development, and investment in local capacity are central to building resilience in societies grappling with poverty, conflict, and climate shocks.
The event, themed “Jobs and livelihoods, enhancing resilience: A means to address root causes of protracted crises”, brought together policymakers, development partners, employers, trade unions, academia, and civil society groups.
ILO Assistant Director-General, André Bogui, explained that the foundation of long-term resilience lies in inclusive labour markets that provide opportunities for all, especially vulnerable groups.
“Lasting resilience means building employment-intensive approaches that not only address immediate recovery but also guarantee sustainable development outcomes,” Bogui said.
He noted that many African economies, though rich in natural resources, still face high unemployment rates, particularly among young people.
The ILO believes that employment creation must go beyond short-term relief and instead focus on equipping communities with skills that help them thrive independently of aid.
On his part, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, linked Africa’s recurring crises to weak disaster preparedness and heavy dependence on fragile sectors like subsistence agriculture.
He emphasised the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which advocates proactive prevention rather than reactive recovery.
According to him, recovery efforts should not only replace destroyed jobs or infrastructure but also create diversified and resilient income streams that shield communities from future shocks.
“You can’t build back the same vulnerabilities that existed before. Recovery must be smarter, more inclusive, and employment-driven,” Kishore stated.
Japan’s long experience with natural disasters was highlighted as a model for Africa.
Ambassador Nobuharu Imanishi of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that sustained investment in infrastructure and its continuous maintenance are vital in reducing risks and speeding up recovery.
Japanese representatives from the Business Federation (Keidanren) and the Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) also shared lessons on business continuity, volunteer mobilisation, and protecting vulnerable workers during crises.
They underscored the importance of social dialogue—tripartite cooperation between governments, employers, and workers—in ensuring that recovery efforts are inclusive and fair.
Participants from across Africa presented examples of initiatives already creating impact. These include:
Climate-resilient agriculture projects in East Africa that are helping farmers withstand droughts and floods.
Local road-building programmes that provide short-term jobs while improving market access.
Skills training for women and youth, particularly in renewable energy, digital services, and agro-processing, which are sectors expected to drive Africa’s future growth.
ILO Regional Director for Africa, Fanfan Rwanyindo, explained that such initiatives do more than provide immediate income.
They equip people with skills that support long-term livelihoods and offer pathways out of dependency on public employment programmes.
Speakers at the side event agreed that while progress is being made, scaling up is critical.
Employment-intensive strategies are seen as indispensable to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty eradication, decent work, and climate action.
The discussions also aligned with the Sendai Framework commitments, which link risk reduction to economic resilience.
Without jobs and income opportunities, officials warned, communities remain vulnerable to being dragged back into poverty with each crisis.
Africa faces multiple, overlapping crises—climate change, food insecurity, political instability, and a rising youth population seeking opportunities.
According to the African Development Bank, nearly 12 million young people enter Africa’s labour market annually, but only about 3 million formal jobs are created, leaving a massive employment gap.
Experts argue that without urgent reforms, the gap could fuel further instability.
By placing jobs at the centre of crisis response, the UN and ILO believe African countries can turn vulnerability into opportunity.
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), launched by Japan in 1993, has become a crucial platform for African ownership and international partnership in sustainable development.
At TICAD9, the ILO–UNDRR side event reinforced the message that decent work, skills development, and social protection must remain central pillars of Africa’s resilience and long-term growth agenda.
As Kishore summed it up:
“Jobs are not just about income—they are about dignity, stability, and resilience. Without employment-driven recovery, Africa’s crises will keep recurring.”