AU and ILO Unveil 2025–2029 Plan to Transform Jobs, Skills and Social Protection in Africa

The African Union (AU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have taken a decisive step toward reshaping Africa's labour markets, advancing a new Joint Operational Plan (JOP) for 2025–2029 aimed at accelerating job creation, strengthening social protection, and driving inclusive economic growth across the continent.

The high-level planning meeting brought together senior officials, technical experts, and key partners including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), marking a renewed push to turn long-standing commitments on decent work and social justice into measurable, large-scale outcomes.

From Commitments to Action

At the heart of the discussions was a shared urgency: ensuring that Africa's development frameworks—particularly Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—deliver tangible improvements in employment, livelihoods, and equity.

"The second phase of our Joint Operational Plan must be stronger and more results-driven," said Dr Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour, Employment and Migration at the African Union Commission. "Regular follow-up, joint monitoring, and sustained coordination will be critical to translating our commitments into real impact."

The new plan builds on lessons from the first implementation cycle, with a stronger focus on accountability, coordination, and delivery at scale.

Key Priorities: Jobs, Skills and Inclusive Growth

The 2025–2029 JOP targets some of the most pressing challenges facing African economies, including:

• Employment creation, with a strong emphasis on youth

• Skills development to match evolving labour market demands

• Expansion of social protection systems

• Support for enterprise growth and entrepreneurship

With Africa's population projected to double by 2050—and millions of young people entering the workforce each year—these priorities are seen as critical to avoiding a widening jobs gap.

Addressing Emerging Economic Shifts

The plan also reflects major global and regional transformations shaping the future of work, including:

• Growth of the green economy and climate-related jobs

• Expansion of the blue economy (marine and coastal industries)

• Rapid digital transformation and automation

• Transition from informal to formal employment

Experts say these shifts present both risks and opportunities, requiring proactive policies to ensure workers are not left behind.

Strengthening Systems for Impact

Beyond job creation, the plan emphasises systemic reforms to improve how labour markets function. Key focus areas include:

• Labour migration governance to manage cross-border workforce mobility

• Advancing gender equality in employment

• Strengthening labour statistics systems for better policymaking

• Aligning macroeconomic policies with employment outcomes

Participants highlighted that without reliable data and policy coherence, even well-designed programmes risk falling short.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

A major theme of the meeting was the need for expanded partnerships and financing to deliver results at scale.

"Collaboration with institutions like UNECA will be key to accelerating implementation," said Khumbula Ndaba, Director of the ILO Addis Ababa Office. "At the same time, stronger resource mobilisation will ensure we can match ambition with action."

The plan includes a dedicated framework for:

• Joint resource mobilisation

• Strategic partnerships with development agencies and the private sector

• Coordinated implementation across AU and ILO departments

Learning from the Past, Scaling for the Future

Both organisations acknowledged that previous efforts were sometimes hindered by fragmented coordination and limited monitoring. The new plan aims to address these gaps through:

• Clearer division of roles and responsibilities

• Enhanced monitoring and reporting systems

• Regular performance reviews and follow-up mechanisms

These improvements are designed to ensure that progress is trackable, transparent, and results-driven.

Next Steps: Implementation and Delivery

The outcome of the meeting is expected to be a fully validated Joint Operational Plan for 2025–2029, alongside a detailed annual work plan for 2026 outlining:

• Concrete actions and timelines

• Assigned responsibilities

• Funding strategies

• Partnership frameworks

With priorities aligned and a roadmap in place, attention now shifts to implementation across African member states.

Driving Africa's Development Agenda

The AU–ILO partnership, rooted in decades of collaboration, remains central to advancing the Decent Work Agenda across Africa. The renewed plan is expected to play a pivotal role in:

• Reducing unemployment and underemployment

• Improving working conditions

• Expanding social protection coverage

• Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth

A Critical Moment for Africa's Workforce

As Africa navigates rapid demographic growth, economic transformation, and global uncertainty, the success of the new Joint Operational Plan could shape the continent's development trajectory for years to come.

"The focus now is on delivery," one participant noted. "We have the vision, the partnerships, and the plan—what matters is turning it into real opportunities for millions of Africans."