Scholars warn rising youth joblessness could undermine Africa’s education gains and threaten the continent’s future stability

Scholars have sounded the alarm over Africa’s growing unemployment crisis, warning that persistent joblessness among educated youth could undermine the value of education and jeopardize the continent’s long-term development.

Speaking during a mentorship forum at Zetech University in Kiambu County, the academicians noted that while many universities have adopted market-driven courses, job opportunities remain scarce leaving thousands of graduates frustrated and disillusioned.

Prof. Gabbey Malope, Chief Executive Officer of Toutelle Academies in South Africa, urged students to diversify their skills and embrace entrepreneurship as a viable path to employment.

“Africa’s youth are highly educated but underutilized. We must create systems that allow them to turn knowledge into solutions and businesses that employ others,” Prof. Malope said.

The grim situation is reflected in the experiences of graduates like Bonventure Peter, a 2023 Business Administration graduate, who says he has attended over 30 job interviews without success.

“It’s discouraging. The market is saturated, and the few opportunities available are extremely competitive,” he lamented.

His frustration echoes the concerns of many Kenyan youth struggling to secure formal employment. Zetech University student Purity Mutheu admitted fearing for her future despite pursuing a degree in Software Engineering.

“Many of my friends who graduated are still jobless. I worry that I might face the same challenge,” she said.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the country’s youth unemployment rate stands at 13.4 percent, among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Each year, about 800,000 young Kenyans enter the job market, but only a small fraction secure formal jobs, pushing many into informal or gig work.

To tackle the crisis, the government has rolled out several initiatives, including the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), Ajira Digital Program, and the Hustler Fund, which provides affordable loans to youth-led enterprises. The state has also pursued labour export agreements to secure overseas job placements for qualified Kenyans.

However, scholars insist that long-term solutions require stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Zetech University’s Dean, School of Education, Prof. Owen Ngumi, emphasized the need to align education with job market demands.

“We must bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. Internship and placement programm are key in preparing students for employment,” he said.

Prof. Ngumi added that Zetech University has introduced new market-aligned courses—including Law, Nursing, Ageing Studies, and Education Science to respond to emerging national and global needs.

As the conversation around youth joblessness intensifies, scholars are calling for policies that promote entrepreneurship, expand green and digital jobs, and nurture innovation hubs that give graduates a platform to create, not just seek, employment.