Promoting youth and female employment in rural areas of Burkina Faso

Context

The agriculture and agri-food sector in Burkina Faso have great potential for generating income and creating new and better jobs in rural areas due to the growing demand for food. Yet young people have few job prospects in these areas. Traditional small-scale agriculture is unattractive and managed in a way that achieves only low productivity and does not use technology and innovations. Young people in general and women – who are the driving force of modern agriculture and the future of the sector – often lack access to market-oriented training, financial resources, inputs and land. Moreover, they are rarely organised in strong networks, something that can give them a louder voice in political change processes.

Furthermore, vocational training does not sufficiently prepare young people to search for a job or pursue an independent activity. Start-up incubation and business support such as coaching, technical and entrepreneurial trainings, facilitation of access to finance are key in supporting youth and women to find attractive jobs or create their own business in the agri-food sector.

Objective

The qualification and employment situation in rural areas has improved in Burkina Faso, especially for young people.

Approach

The project takes an integrated approach to employment promotion that aims to more closely match the qualification and skills of young people on the labour market to the private sector demand and entrepreneurship-opportunities in rural areas. Its activities focus in particular on the specific needs and interests of youth and women in order to improve their income and employment situation. Moreover, the project promotes growth and development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups in the agri-food sector. In addition, the project supports the improvement of framework conditions such as a favourable business environment.

Last update: August 2023