To help access to employment, IIEP-UNESCO Dakar has been working with the Mauritanian government to support vocational training policies, including the formation of a public-private partnership geared towards expanding youth employment and social inclusion.

As part of this public-private partnership, companies in three top economic sectors – mixed farming, construction and public works, and fishing – have identified a list of ‘priority jobs’ for three regions in the country.

Youth employment is one of the main challenges facing the African continent. Among 15-24 year-olds, a group that accounts for 20 %of the African population, 41% are unemployed. Furthermore, 70% of youth that have a job are in situations of particularly vulnerable employment. In this context of massive ‘hidden unemployment’, the population of working age people will increase by approximately 450 million by 2035.

At the opening ceremony, the Secretary General of Togo’s Ministry, Mr. Gnamine M. S. Agarem, said in his welcome remarks that he was delighted Togo had been chosen to host the proceedings of this important meeting. He further affirmed that the workshop came just at the right moment, when countries facing a lack of resources are having to pool their energy to overcome the major challenges for their development.