A new Afrobarometer study, From Aspiration to Action, has revealed the challenges young Africans face in accessing decent work and entrepreneurship opportunities across the continent.

The report, which surveyed young people aged 18 to 25, found that around 45% of respondents are unemployed, yet remain actively looking for work. The study identifies inadequate training, lack of required experience, and unwillingness to accept certain jobs as the top barriers to employment for this age group.

Speaking to the findings, Komi Amewunou, an editor at Afrobarometer and one of the authors of the report, explained that the issues were highlighted directly by young people, reflecting their lived experiences. “Young Africans are often more educated than older generations, but they remain the most affected by unemployment,” he said.

Respondents indicated that governments should prioritise job creation, improve education, and expand access to business loans, particularly for those aged 18 to 25. The study also noted a structural mismatch between educational programmes and labour market demands, meaning that even well-educated youth struggle to find work aligned with their qualifications.

Interestingly, the survey found regional differences in attitudes towards entrepreneurship. Youth in Western and Eastern Africa showed a stronger preference for starting their own businesses, while those in Southern Africa were less inclined to pursue entrepreneurship. Amewunou suggested this pattern could reflect differences in the size of formal labour markets and the availability of employment opportunities.

Although this round of the study cannot yet indicate trends over time, Afrobarometer plans to track these issues in future surveys to determine whether youth employment and empowerment are improving.

–ChannelAfrica–