A new regional initiative, the Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs Program (SET4Jobs), aims to equip 18 million young people across Eastern and Southern Africa with the education and skills needed to thrive in key economic sectors by 2034. Addressing the urgent challenge of youth unemployment—where roughly 8 million young people enter the labor market each year but fewer than one million secure waged jobs—the program focuses on aligning skills development with growing industries such as agribusiness, energy, healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing.
Backed by a $972 million financing package from the International Development Association (IDA), SET4Jobs will support countries including Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, and Zambia over eight years through a multi-phase approach.
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) will coordinate efforts to enhance tertiary and technical education, applied research, and industry-aligned training, while a regional knowledge-exchange platform will facilitate the sharing of experiences and attract additional financing from development and private sector partners, driving large-scale job creation and regional prosperity.
