The African Union (AU) has unveiled key strategies and policies to transform the world of work, focusing on the social economy, youth employment, fair recruitment, and minimum wage. Through its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the AU has made significant strides in promoting social justice and employment opportunities across Africa.
The AU has adopted the AU-ILO Youth Employment Strategy and the Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy for Africa, in addition to the Social Solidarity Economy Ecosystem. These initiatives aim to promote fair distribution of resources, equality, and social justice, while giving voice and agency to the underprivileged.
The Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) ecosystem has been a focal point of the AU’s efforts, promoting cooperatives that create employment and income-generating opportunities, support skills development, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The AU has also developed the 10-year Social and Solidarity Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (2023-2032) and partnered with the ILO to develop the AU/ILO Youth Employment Strategy for Africa (YES-Africa). This comprehensive framework aims to create decent jobs for all African youth and trigger structural transformation in the world of work.
Furthermore, the AU has collaborated with the ILO on the Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy for Africa, supporting the development of continental guidelines, labour market information management systems, and national labour migration policies.
The AU and ILO are committed to supporting member states in developing sustainable financing mechanisms and strengthening public-private partnerships for job creation, decent jobs, and upskilling of youth to meet labour market demands.
