Unemployment crisis hurts African youth

Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya during CorpsAfrica's 2025 All-Country Conference in Nairobi, on June 20, 2025. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

Kenya is among African states facing a serious youth unemployment crisis.

Kenya’s youth unemployment rate has soared past 38 per cent, Nigeria’s stands at 42 per cent, and South Africa at 46 per cent.

This emerged during the CorpsAfrica's 2025 All-Country Conference in Nairobi.

Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya noted that 70 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30 face youth unemployment crisis.

Mvurya challenged Africa to break free from donor dependency, urging a collaborator approach with local businesses, networks and community to invest in youth volunteer programmes that deliver tangible opportunities, social inclusion and dignity.

“Africa’s youth have spoken with unmistakable clarity. They want jobs, not handouts; platforms, not patronage; and action, not promises. Young people aren’t waiting—they’re building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead,” he said.

The CS announced Kenya’s commitment to fast-track a review of the National Volunteer Policy, aiming to integrate youth volunteerism more fully into the national development framework.

“We recognise that young people aren’t waiting they’re building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead,” Mvurya said.

The revised policy is expected to reward and recognize volunteer service as a legitimate path to employment, civic engagement, and social innovation.

The policy review aims to create broader recognition and reward systems for volunteerism as a driver of civic engagement and social capital in Kenya, potentially transforming how youth service is valued in the country’s development framework.