The World Data Lab (WDL), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, launched the Africa Youth Employment Clock in Nigeria on November 7, 2024. This innovative digital tool comes at a crucial time, as Africa’s youth population is expected to grow of nearly 100 million. between 2023 and 2030, the strongest surge the continent has ever experienced. The Africa Youth Employment Clock aims to drive meaningful change in African labor markets by providing a clear view of real-time employment data and forecasting future trends through 2030.

The Employment Clock is a first-of-its-kind platform that models and visualizes labor market data, tracking key variables such as employment status, age, gender and sector. This robust tool uses data from sources such as national statistical offices, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) to help policy makers, youth leaders and ecosystem stakeholders with a comprehensive, peer-reviewed and comparable dataset. It is freely accessible at www.africayouthjobs.io, with national data available for all 54 African countries and subnational data initially available for Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Plans are underway to expand the tool to Uganda and Senegal, both of which have national Mastercard Foundation programs.

Highlighting the urgency of addressing youth employment needs, Adrian Bukenya, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation in Uganda, noted that “the launch of the Africa Youth Employment Clock in Uganda marks a critical moment to address the urgent employment needs of Uganda’s growing youth population. Uganda, one of Africa’s fastest growing youth populations, urgently needs actionable, real-time data to inform decisions that create meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities. The Africa Youth Employment Clock is a powerful tool that will empower leaders, businesses and young people. Ugandans themselves must shape a future filled with dignified work. Through our partnership with World Data Lab, we are committed to unlocking the full potential of Uganda’s young workforce and driving long-term prosperity,” Bukenya said.

A vision for transformative impact on youth employment in Africa

The Africa Youth Jobs Clock stands as a revolutionary step in using technology to address unemployment challenges on the continent. Wolfgang Fengler, CEO and co-founder of World Data Lab, highlighted the tool’s role in catalyzing change in African labor markets. “We are delighted to introduce the Africa Youth Jobs Clock at a time when Africa’s youth urgently need accessible pathways to fulfilling careers. By providing real-time labor market information, our aim is to support data-driven decisions that encourage young people across the continent. Our collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation ensures that this tool will not only provide visibility, but inspire strategies that lead to job creation, economic growth and the empowerment of African youth,” said Fengler.

How the Africa Youth Employment Clock will empower stakeholders

The Jobs Clock provides an invaluable resource for policymakers, educators, and organizations dedicated to employment and economic development. By tracking labor market trends, it enables data-driven programs that align educational programs with market demands, thereby improving youth employment readiness. Additionally, it highlights industries with high growth potential, enabling governments and private sector leaders to channel investments and develop job creation initiatives that meet the dynamic needs of the African labor market.

As more African countries gain access to localized data through the Clock, the potential for strategic and coordinated responses to employment challenges will increase. The digital platform, accessible to anyone with the internet, provides crucial data to understand workforce changes and adapt to emerging sectors.

The way forward: a data-driven future for Africa’s youth

The Africa Youth Employment Clock not only addresses immediate employment gaps, but also paves the way for a resilient, future-ready workforce. As subnational data for other countries, including Uganda and Senegal, become available, The Clock will help build a continent-wide narrative that emphasizes youth empowerment, economic inclusion and sustainable growth. With this launch, World Data Lab and the Mastercard Foundation are laying the foundation for a data-driven approach that envisions a brighter, opportunity-rich future for Africa’s youth.

The Africa Youth Employment Clock is set to redefine how Africa approaches youth employment, enabling policymakers to develop informed and impactful solutions that meet the continent’s changing labor demands.