Employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa

Context

Unemployment and underemployment are widespread in Africa. Although a young population is streaming into the labour market and demand for labour exists, there is often a lack of skilled workers and supplier firms. This especially impacts women, who generally do not have the same access to education as men or equal employment. Innovative solutions are required to ensure long-term demand for labour and to safeguard existing jobs.

Objective

The employment and economic situation of women in sub-Saharan Africa has been improved – especially in sectors which are driving the green transformation.

Approach

As part of an integrated approach to promoting employment, the programme fosters labour demand and skills development for workers, and brings demand and supply for skilled workers together. It focuses on five main areas:

• Increasing training opportunities for women and for businesses that contribute to the green transformation
• Creating conditions to improve the transition to the labour market
• Increasing employment opportunities for women in green supply chains – for example in renewable energy, the circular economy and waste management, and sustainable agriculture, as well as in sectors, such as transport and construction, where more environmentally friendly business models are being adopted
• Enhancing the competitiveness of start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, especially women-led enterprises contributing to an environmental transformation
• Implementing and extending successful approaches in other sectors of the economy and in other regions and countries

Each measure is based on partnerships with local and international companies and with governmental and non-governmental organisations, vocational schools and business associations.

The programme receives additional funding from the European Union and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

Last update: July 2024