Delivering Impact, Expanding Opportunity

Dar Es Salaam (ILO News) -Across East Africa, governments, employers' and workers' organizations, development partners, and communities have continued to strengthen the foundations of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable labour markets. Together, we have advanced social protection systems, reinforced occupational safety and health, strengthened efforts to eliminate child labour, expanded opportunities for young people and persons with disabilities, enhanced the protection of migrant workers, and deepened the dialogue around a just transition towards greener economies.

These achievements reflect more than successful programmes. They demonstrate our shared commitment to ensuring that economic progress translates into tangible improvements in people's lives. They remind us that delivering impact is not measured solely by the policies we develop or the projects we implement, but by the opportunities we create for workers, enterprises, and communities to thrive.

As the world of work continues to evolve, so too must our responses. Demographic shifts, technological advancement, climate change, labour mobility, and changing employment patterns are reshaping labour markets across our region. While these transitions present significant opportunities, they also require us to strengthen institutions, build resilience, and ensure that no one is left behind. The encouraging progress witnessed during the first half of the year gives us confidence that a people-centred approach remains the most effective pathway towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

One of the clearest examples of this progress has been the continued strengthening of worker protection across the region. Through collaboration with governments and social partners, renewed investments in occupational safety and health, strengthened community responses to child labour, and enhanced protection for migrant workers have reinforced a simple but powerful principle protecting workers is not only a matter of rights, it is fundamental to productive economies, resilient enterprises, and social justice. By shifting from reactive interventions towards prevention and stronger institutional systems, our constituents are creating safer workplaces and more equitable labour markets.

We have also witnessed important momentum in expanding social protection. As labour markets become more dynamic, countries across East Africa continue to recognise that extending protection to workers in the informal economy and strengthening national social security systems are investments in resilience rather than costs. Social protection enables workers and their families to withstand shocks, supports transitions between jobs, and contributes to more stable, productive, and inclusive economies. The progress made during the first half of the year reflects a growing understanding that inclusive growth cannot be achieved while significant segments of the workforce remain without protection.

Creating opportunity has remained central to our work throughout the region. Young people continue to represent one of East Africa's greatest strengths, and the initiatives highlighted in this edition demonstrate the importance of connecting them with employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development. Equally important has been the continued effort to advance disability inclusion, recognising that inclusive labour markets are built not only through policy commitments but through practical measures that remove barriers, recognise talent, and enable every individual to contribute fully to society and the economy.

Another defining feature of the first half of 2026 has been the growing convergence between climate action and employment. The transition towards greener economies is no longer simply an environmental agenda, it is increasingly shaping the future of labour markets across East Africa. Encouraging progress has been made in promoting dialogue on the just transition, supporting enterprises to innovate, and equipping workers with the skills needed to succeed in greener economies. These efforts demonstrate that environmental sustainability and economic opportunity can and must advance together. Building resilience to climate change while creating decent jobs represents one of the defining opportunities of our time.

Underlying these achievements is the strength of partnership. Governments, employers' and workers' organizations, development partners, civil society, and communities have continued to demonstrate that lasting progress is achieved through dialogue, shared responsibility, and collective action. These partnerships remain the cornerstone of the ILO's work and continue to strengthen the institutions that support inclusive labour markets across East Africa.

As we look to the second half of the year, our priorities remain clear. We will continue supporting institutions that protect workers and promote rights at work. We will accelerate efforts to extend social protection, particularly to workers in the informal economy, while continuing to create opportunities for young people, advance inclusion, and prepare workers and enterprises for a greener and more digital future. Above all, we will continue ensuring that every transition economic, technological, environmental, or demographic is guided by the principle that people come first.

The stories featured throughout this newsletter demonstrate what is possible when partnerships are transformed into action. They show that impact is measured not only by the programmes we deliver but by the stronger institutions we build, the opportunities we expand, and the lives we help improve.

Delivering impact means creating lasting change. Expanding opportunity means ensuring that every woman and man has the chance to access decent work, contribute to resilient economies, and participate in a more inclusive future. Together, these principles will continue to guide the ILO's work across East Africa as we build a future of work that leaves no one behind.