Green Technology and Youth Employment Potential in Africa: A Continental Scoping Report

The report identifies a disconnect between green technology programmes and youth employment policies in Africa, noting that while energy and agriculture are primary focuses, there is significant untapped potential in ICTs, indigenous knowledge, and local manufacturing to create sustainable jobs for young people.

• There is a systemic lack of integration between major green technology funding mechanisms and youth employment goals. While some national youth employment policies in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda incorporate green technology, the primary green technology programmes—including the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Internationale Klimaschutz Initiative (IKI)—do not include youth employment in their design, nor does the Technology Needs Assessments (TNA) methodology explicitly provide for youth inclusion.
• Energy and agriculture are the most prominent sectors for green technology focus in Africa. Energy is prioritised due to the global transition away from fossil fuels and the need to extend energy access, while agriculture is central because of its role in food security and rural development.
• Significant opportunities for youth employment exist in the intersection of green technology with ICTs, indigenous knowledge, and local manufacturing, though these are currently underutilised. ICTs can bridge data gaps and create marketing platforms, while indigenous knowledge is linked to climate services and agriculture but is largely absent from youth employment policies. Additionally, there is a gap in policy focus regarding the local manufacturing of green technology inputs and services.

APA

APRI (2023). Green Technology and Youth Employment Potential in Africa: A Continental Scoping Report. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/green-technology-and-youth-employment-potential-in-africa-a-continental-scoping-report

Chicago

APRI. Green Technology and Youth Employment Potential in Africa: A Continental Scoping Report. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/green-technology-and-youth-employment-potential-in-africa-a-continental-scoping-report.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=APRI |title=Green Technology and Youth Employment Potential in Africa: A Continental Scoping Report |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=8 November 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/green-technology-and-youth-employment-potential-in-africa-a-continental-scoping-report |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{apri2023green, author = {APRI}, title = {{Green Technology and Youth Employment Potential in Africa: A Continental Scoping Report}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://afripoli.org/green-technology-and-youth-employment-potential-in-africa-a-continental-scoping-report}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }