BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Africa Regional Conference & Exhibition on Education and Skills Development
In the 2023 United Nations Report, Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledges that only 12% of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track to be achieved by 2030.
The report highlights that, without a significant acceleration of efforts, meeting all the goals by the deadline remains unlikely. Of particular concern is Goal 8, which focuses on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
For many African countries, achieving this goal appears increasingly difficult, given that youth unemployment exceeds 30% in several sub-Saharan nations. Meanwhile, the United Nations projects Africa’s population to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, meaning nearly one-third of the world’s population will reside on the continent within the next three decades.
This demographic shift presents both challenges and opportunities. How should African governments respond? What preparations are needed to harness the demographic dividend? These critical questions underscore the significance of the ARC-EDS initiative.
JUSTIFICATION
Youth unemployment continues to hinder economic growth and social stability in Africa. Traditional education systems often fall short in equipping students with the practical skills demanded by today’s job market, resulting in a significant gap between education and employment. Entrepreneurship and innovation present alternative pathways to job creation, offering scalable solutions to empower young people to generate opportunities for themselves and others.
This conference provides an unparalleled platform for stakeholders—including governments, donors, investors, and industry—to collaborate on scalable interventions that address youth unemployment while fostering sustainable development. The 2025 ARC-EDS offers not just discussions but actionable pathways and opportunities to invest in Africa’s future workforce and innovators.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
