All news: Africa

East and Horn of Africa Countries Strengthen Labour Migration Governance through Learning Visit to the Philippines

A regional learning visit to introduce participants from the EHoA, as well as EAC and IGAD, to the Philippines’ well-established labour migration governance system, encompassing regulation, protection, reintegration, and social dialogue.

Senegal : Validation of the Labour Market Diagnosis and Launch of the New National Employment Policy

On 2–3 February 2026 in Saly, Senegal validated its labour market diagnosis and launched the strategic framework for its new National Employment Policy with the support of the ILO and AICS.

Kenya Reviews Progress on Institutionalising Labour Migration Governance

The 5th Technical Working Group meeting in Kenya examined progress achieved under the BRMM programme and identified priorities for sustaining labour migration governance efforts beyond the project period.

Youth employment

ILO and WAEMU strengthen cooperation on youth employment

The ILO and WAEMU held high-level discussions in Ouagadougou to advance a joint programme aimed at promoting decent employment for young people in the WAEMU region over the period 2026–2030.

ILO and EU strengthen regional momentum for Second Chance Schools

The ILO and the European Union brought together key stakeholders from the MENA region to strengthen regional cooperation around Second Chance Schools as a central lever for policies to integrate NEETs.

PROSPECTS Impact

ILO-supported coworking hub is expanding opportunities for youth in Ethiopia

Young people in Jigjiga, Ethiopia, are benefiting from the coworking space, where they learn, collaborate and pursue decent work opportunities.

Our impact, their story

From child labour to skilled work: Orifa Taiwo’s journey

Forced to drop out of school at the age of ten, Orifa Taiwo spent his childhood working on farms to help his family survive. Today, he is a tailor with his own shop and a renewed sense of purpose. In this first-person story, Orifa shares how the...

High-level training strengthens negotiation capacity for public service social dialogue in Lesotho

The initiative brings together senior government leaders to enhance negotiation skills in line with international labour standards and recent public service reforms.

Voices of Action - Child labour

Farm work threatens Egyptian boy’s dream of becoming an engineer

Every dawn, 14‑year‑old Islam heads to the fields in rural Egypt to help feed his family. The long hours of agricultural labour leave him exhausted in the classroom and push him further from his dream of becoming an engineer — a dream he refuses to...

Nigeria advances labour migration governance through adoption of key policy tools

With support from the ILO and GIZ, Nigeria’s Technical Working Committee on Labour Migration Governance held its final quarterly meeting of 2025 in Abuja (11–12 December) to validate and adopt key tools aimed at strengthening Migrant Resource...

Nigeria strengthens capacity to analyse child labour data using Labour Force Survey evidence

A ten-day workshop in Nigeria strengthened national capacity to analyse child labour data using annual Nigeria Labour Force Survey data. Supported by the EU-funded FMM (West Africa) II Project and co-implemented by the ILO, the workshop was held in...

ILO certifies new cooperative trainers to strengthen livelihoods and tackle child labour in Nigeria

The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the ACCEL Africa project, has certified a new cohort of cooperative trainers across Ondo, Osun, and Niger States. The initiative is set to enhance cooperative performance, improve livelihoods, and...

M’Batto: ACCEL Africa strengthens youth employability by promoting decent work

In M’Batto, Côte d’Ivoire, the ACCEL Africa project is strengthening youth employability through poultry training that combines technical skills with the principles of decent work. By addressing the root causes of child labour, the initiative...

Our impact, their story

Sewing, a new path for Aminata

This is the story of Coulibaly Aminata, 18, who recounts how sewing training supported by the ILO's ACCEL Africa project helped her overcome a difficult period in her childhood and build a professional future in Côte d'Ivoire. Discover her journey...

Fourth Labour Migration Advisory Group meeting reinforces sustainable Labour Migration Governance in East and Horn of Africa

Shifting toward long-term ownership, institutional integration, and the development of a clear sustainability roadmap for labour migration governance in the region.

South Sudan Trade Unions Strengthen Action on Migrant Worker Rights

Embedding migrant worker protection within national trade union structures in South Sudan

European Parliament study calls for stronger decent work metrics in EU interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

The study finds that the measurement of employment outcomes within EU external actions remains fragmented, with insufficient systematic attention to job quality and decent work. It calls for a better use of existing tools, including ILO tools, and...

Tanzania Charts Path Forward for Labour Migration Governance in Dodoma

Fifth National Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on Labour Migration in Dodoma, Tanzania to review progress, address implementation challenges, and promote the programme’s exit strategy for long-term impact.

Transnational Company Agreements in 2025 focused on fundamental rights, safety at work, and due diligence

The recently updated section of the ILO Repository on Cross-Border Social Dialogue identified environmental issues and technological changes as priorities.

Skills development

Skills assessments in Kenya reveal training gaps and opportunities

New skills gap assessments supported by the International Labour Organization in Kenya’s tourism and fodder sectors show how stronger links between employers, training providers and young people can help align training with labour market needs.