About us

Empower African people with Decent Work, Empower the continent

The ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, home to the African Union Commission (AUC) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The Regional Office is responsible for leading, planning and coordinating the framework of projects and programs undertaken through ILO Decent Work Technical Support Teams (4) and Country Offices (9) throughout Africa. At the regional level the ROAF works closely with the AUC, the UNECA, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other key development partners to better serve the tripartite constituents (Governments, Workers, Employers) and promote Decent work and Social Justice for All in Africa.

ILO's work in Africa is guided by the Plan of Action adopted by the African Union Head of States and Governments' Summit on Poverty Alleviation and Employment ( Ouagadougou , September 2004). It aims at placing employment at the centre of national, regional and continental development frameworks and policies. At the country level this is done through the development and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes, which are increasingly becoming part of national development frameworks and poverty reduction strategies.

Today, Africa needs a development paradigm shift with policies grounded in Africa’s realities and own interests. The Regional Office for Africa proposes five possible policy directions:

1. Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work 
2. Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income
3. Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all
4. Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue
5. Encourage social economy as a “connecting bridge” between formal and informal economies

In support of these goals, the ILO offers expertise and knowledge about the world of work.It serves its tripartite constituents and communities in many ways, including:

1. Formulation of policies and programmes to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities
2. Creation of international labour standards backed by a unique system to supervise their application
3. An extensive programme of international technical cooperation formulated and implemented in an active partnership with constituents, to help countries put these policies into practice in an effective manner
4. Training, education and research activities to help advance all of these efforts