All news: Africa

PROSPECTS Impact

Young refugees and Ethiopians turn skills into thriving businesses with ILO support

Young refugees and host community members in Addis Ababa are gaining access to skills development, employment opportunities, finance and market linkages through the ILO-supported Youth-to-Youth Fund (Y2YF), implemented under the PROSPECTS programme...

Zambia unveils critical skills tools and apprenticeship pilot programme to tackle skills gap

Zambia launches new skills development tools and a national apprenticeship programme to boost industry‑aligned training, strengthen employability, and prepare a future‑ready workforce across key economic sectors.

ILO welcomes African Leagues initiative for social dialogue in professional football

Following the adoption of the ILO Guidelines for professional athletes, the ILO attended the founding meeting of the African Leagues, a new regional initiative to strengthen social dialogue and promote decent work in professional football across...

Media advisory

ILO Director General to strengthen partnerships for decent work in the Sahel

The Director-General of the ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo, is embarking on a mission to the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) from 5 to 15 April 2026. The aim is to strengthen partnerships to promote decent work, a cornerstone of stability...

ILO-Japan partnership to boost productivity, safety and sustainability

ILO launches initiative to strengthen a climate-resilient textile and garment sector in Ethiopia

ILO and Japan are joining forces to transform Ethiopia’s textile and garment sector. The new initiative will boost productivity, strengthen climate resilience and improve workplace safety across 40 factories. With a focus on sustainability,...

Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work in Egypt

Enterprise upgrading gains momentum in Egypt’s leather tanning and marble clusters

Assessing alignment of South Africa’s social security system with ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952, No. 102

With the support of the ILO, South Africa’s social partners discussed and reviewed the preliminary results of a comparative assessment between the national legislation and this landmark ILO Convention.

Grounding Labour Migration Interventions in Evidence

A stakeholder workshop in Addis Ababa validated baseline findings for a new EU-funded labour migration project, bringing together key institutions and partners to align on evidence and priorities. The process established a shared, data-driven...

Ghana’s shea sector signs landmark collective bargaining agreement

The Ghana Shea Employers Association and the Ghana Shea Workers Union have signed their first Collective Bargaining Agreement, advancing decent work, productivity, and social justice across the shea value chain.

ILO strengthens Nigeria’s social protection systems through nationwide TRANSFORM trainings

Through a joint effort by the ILO, UNICEF and the EU, Nigeria is strengthening social protection systems to better support vulnerable people and communities.

New momentum to build social protection capacities in the Arab region

New training modules support governments in the Middle East and North African region to build integrated, shock-responsive systems that expand coverage and protect vulnerable populations

Beyond compliance, South Africa drives workplace safety agenda

South Africa’s National OHS Conference 2026 brought together key stakeholders to drive a shift from compliance to prevention in workplace safety. The conference highlighted the importance of protecting workers’ rights, strengthening collaboration,...

From waste to opportunity, E-Waste project officially handed over in Limpopo

The ILO-supported E-Waste Project in South Africa, concluded on 20 March 2026 with a handover event marking its transition to local ownership. The initiative empowered 22 young people with skills in e-waste management, safety, and entrepreneurship,...

Social protection key to inclusive transitions in Africa

At a high-level event in Brussels, the ILO highlighted the urgent need to expand social protection in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing its role in reducing inequalities and supporting just transitions in a rapidly changing world.

National Consultation Advances Development of Uganda’s Return and Reintegration Framework

Uganda advances sustainable labour migration through the development of a comprehensive and inclusive National Return and Reintegration Framework to support the effective transition of returned migrant workers into the labour market.

ILO and Thabazimbi municipality mark Global Recycling day with E-Waste awareness drive

Productivity

Productivity dialogue drives action on jobs in South Africa

A national tripartite+ symposium in Johannesburg brings together key stakeholders to advance a shared agenda linking productivity growth with decent work and inclusive economic development in South Africa.

Stakeholders Review Uganda’s Pre-Departure Training Curriculum for Migrant Workers

Uganda advances decent work in labour migration through the modernization of its pre-departure curriculum, ensuring inclusive, occupation-responsive, and rights-based protections for all migrant workers

DRC launches a joint project to strengthen social protection and promote access to decent work

A new joint project by the United Nations and the World Bank, launched in Kinshasa, aims to strengthen social protection and promote access to decent work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a particular focus on young people, women and...

Climate action

Climate justice in Kenya begins with local livelihoods

In Kenya’s Narok County, climate change is reshaping pastoralist livelihoods, water access and tourism, showing why local communities must be at the centre of climate adaptation.