West African countries adopt youth employment framework in Freetown
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Mali Actu
West African countries adopted the Freetown Declaration on 2 November in Freetown, linking vocational training, digital skills, finance and access to productive resources to promote youth employment. The framework of recommendations came from a regional meeting held from 28 to 30 October, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
West African countries adopted the Freetown Declaration on Monday 2 November 2026 in Freetown, a set of recommendations on youth employment and inclusive economic transformation, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The text links training, access to productive resources and the development of productive activities to promote decent job creation and economic resilience.
The declaration calls on states to adapt education and vocational training to labour market needs, strengthen digital and entrepreneurial skills, and make it easier for young people to access finance, land and equipment. It also recommends that the private sector invest in apprenticeship programmes and that young entrepreneurs receive better access to markets, finance and mentoring.
Targeted investment includes agriculture, agribusiness, livestock, extractive industries and digital services. The text also advocates developing regional value chains and increasing young people’s participation in trade linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as in the mining, tourism and sports sectors.
The declaration was adopted after the 29th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for West Africa, held in Freetown from 28 to 30 October by the Sierra Leonean government and the ECA subregional office. It follows regional initiatives to strengthen skills linked to the AfCFTA for border officials.
