The African Union (AU) has launched several significant strategies and policies aimed at transforming the world of work across the continent. These initiatives include the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) Ecosystem, the AU-ILO Youth Employment Strategy (YES-Africa), and the Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy for Africa.
In a recent release, the AU emphasized its commitment to promoting social justice and creating employment opportunities, aligned with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the ILO Abidjan Declaration. The AU highlighted the SSE Ecosystem as a key focus, advocating for fair resource distribution, equality, and empowering the underprivileged. The ecosystem promotes cooperatives that generate employment, enhance skills development, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The development of the AU’s 10-year Social and Solidarity Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (2023-2032) marks a significant step in advancing the SSE across Africa. The plan was emphasized during the fifth ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour, and Employment.
In addition, the AU and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have collaborated on the AU/ILO Youth Employment Strategy for Africa (YES-Africa), a framework designed to create decent jobs for African youth. With a focus on public-private partnerships, this initiative aims to address the high percentage of young Africans who are not in employment, education, or training.
The AU has also worked with the ILO on the Fair and Ethical Recruitment Strategy for Africa, part of the Joint Labour Migration Programme. This strategy supports the development of continental guidelines and policies to ensure fair recruitment practices across the continent.
These initiatives collectively represent the AU’s commitment to fostering social justice, enhancing employment opportunities, and supporting sustainable development across Africa.
