2026 a year to deliver Decent Work at scale across East Africa

The year 2025 tested our resolve and reaffirmed our purpose. Across the region, we moved decisively from commitment to action, delivering tangible progress in strengthening labour institutions, advancing social dialogue, expanding social protection, protecting the most vulnerable workers, and embedding international labour standards into national systems. These achievements were the result of disciplined teamwork, strong partnerships, and an unwavering focus on impact.

We closed the year with real gains, reforms shaped through tripartite dialogue, improved protection for workers in both the formal and informal economy, young people equipped with skills for a rapidly evolving labour market, and governments increasingly owning the Decent Work Agenda as a driver of national development. In a context marked by economic pressure, climate shocks, technological disruption, and growing inequalities, our teams demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and delivery under constraint. This effort is acknowledged and deeply appreciated.

But 2026 is not a continuation of business as usual.

The year ahead demands sharper focus, faster execution, and higher standards of performance. Expectations from our constituents, partners, and the communities we serve continue to rise. Our mandate is clear to deliver measurable results, demonstrate value for money, and ensure that every intervention advances decent work, social justice, and inclusive growth. This requires discipline, accountability, and a relentless focus on outcomes rather than activities.

As we step into 2026, I warmly welcome you to a year of renewed purpose and elevated ambition. This is a year in which the ILO’s values must translate even more visibly into results that matter for women and men across our programme countries.

Across the region, national development visions provide a powerful compass for our work. From Tanzania’s Vision 2050 to Kenya’s and Uganda’s strong push on digital transformation and innovation, to Rwanda’s leadership in green growth and Burundi’s commitment to inclusive social protection, one message is clear: the future of development must be people-centred, inclusive, and anchored in decent work. The ILO stands ready to support these national priorities by ensuring that growth creates jobs, innovation protects workers, and transformation leaves no one behind.

In 2026, our focus will remain firmly on advancing social justice through stronger labour governance, effective social dialogue, and expanded social protection systems that reach workers in the informal economy, rural areas, and fragile contexts. Ending child labour, promoting safe and healthy workplaces, and ensuring dignity for all workers including domestic workers, migrant workers, and those in emerging sectors will remain at the heart of our engagement.

Digitalisation and innovation will continue to shape the future of work in our region. Our role is to ensure that this transition is fair, inclusive, and rights based. This means equipping young people with relevant skills, supporting enterprises to grow responsibly, and ensuring that new forms of work do not erode labour rights but instead expand opportunities for decent employment.

Climate change remains one of the defining challenges of our time. In 2026, we will deepen our efforts to link climate action with decent work supporting green jobs, just transitions, and climate-resilient livelihoods. Sustainable development is not possible without protecting workers, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that environmental transformation creates opportunities rather than new vulnerabilities.

Central to all this work is our commitment to international labour standards. The ratification and effective implementation of ILO Conventions particularly those related to occupational safety and health, social protection, employment policy, child labour, and the rights of vulnerable workers remain a powerful pathway to lasting change. These standards are not abstract commitments; they are practical tools for improving lives and shaping fair labour markets.

As we move forward, I call on every colleague to recommit to excellence, collaboration, and timely delivery. In 2026, we must move decisively from plans to performance, from outputs to outcomes, and from effort to evidence. Our work must speak through stronger institutions, safer workplaces, better jobs, and expanded protection for those who need it most.

The challenges ahead are complex, but the opportunity before us is significant. Let us approach this year with urgency, clarity of purpose, and the discipline to deliver. Together, guided by the ILO’s values and strengthened by our partnerships, we can shape a future of work that is fairer, safer, and more inclusive for all.

The year 2026 calls for action, collaboration, and courage. Together, let us accelerate progress towards decent work for women and men, advance social justice, embrace innovation responsibly, protect our planet, and ensure that the future of work in our region is inclusive, sustainable, and anchored in dignity.

As we begin this new chapter, I ask each of you to carry this work not only as a professional duty, but as a shared responsibility to the people and communities who look to the ILO for fairness, opportunity, and hope. Let us lead with integrity, deliver with urgency, and remain anchored in the belief that decent work is the most sustainable pathway to dignity and peace. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.” In 2026, let our work across East Africa continue to be that act of justice creating jobs for young people, protecting workers’ rights, and advancing social justice so that growth truly works for all.

Happy New Yea!