Creating good jobs in Africa

Context

Adequate employment and income prospects are a major challenge for Africa's development. As the African population is growing rapidly, there is a need for 25 million new jobs annually. This requires support for formal employment conditions. There is also a need for foreign and local investment to enable the creation of jobs.

Under the Invest for Jobs brand, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has put together a package of measures to support German, European and African companies engaging in Africa. The BMZ Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition" – the official title – offers comprehensive advisory services, contacts and financial support through its partner organisations to overcome investment barriers.

Objective

Up to 100,000 good jobs are created and the working conditions and social protection in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia are improved. The socio-ecological transformation in line with a just transition and the role of women in the world of work are strengthened.

Approach

The global programme contributes to implementing the BMZ Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition". It provides advice to the BMZ and the Special Initiative country projects to reach their goals. Along with a large number of partners – including the International Labour Organization (ILO) – it provides support to mobilise companies in Germany, Europe and Africa for long-term investments.

The global programme also aims to produce a coherent presentation of the content, impact and success of the Special Initiative and to facilitate the transfer of the Special Initiative's successful approaches to other programmes and countries.

Last update: May 2023