Employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa (WE4D)

Employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa (WE4D)

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  • Client

    German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) 

  • Co-financier

    European Union (TEI IYBA SEED)

  • Political sponsors

    More

  • Runtime

    2023 to 2026

  • Products and expertise

    Economic development and employment

Context

Unemployment and underemployment are widespread in Africa. Although a young population is streaming into the labour market and demand for labour exists, there is often a lack of skilled workers and supplier firms. This especially impacts women, who generally do not have the same opportunities as men in terms of access to education and employment (income, job security). Innovative solutions are required to ensure long-term demand for labour and to safeguard existing jobs. The programme focuses on sectors offering the greatest possible employment impacts for women while contributing to a climate-friendly economy.

Objective

The programme is designed to improve women’s employment opportunities and economic situation in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in businesses that further the green transformation.

Two young women entrepreneurs presenting their skin care products at their stand. Copyright: GIZ/Stephen Kariuki

Approach

The programme takes an integrated approach to promoting employment and focuses on three aspects: labour demand (businesses), labour supply (training) and bringing together supply and demand for skilled workers (matching). It also promotes entrepreneurship and start-ups, focusing on five main areas:

  • Increasing training opportunities for women and for businesses that contribute to the green transformation
  • Creating conditions to improve transitioning to the labour market
  • Increasing employment opportunities for women in green supply chains in sectors such as renewable energy, the circular economy and waste management, sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and ecotourism, as well as in sectors such as transport and construction in which businesses are adopting more environmentally friendly business models
  • Enhancing the competitiveness of start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, especially women-led enterprises contributing to an environmental transformation
  • Implementing and extending successful approaches in other sectors of the economy and in other regions and countries.

Each measure is based on partnerships with local and international companies and with governmental and non-governmental organisations, vocational schools and business associations.

The programme is co-funded by the EU through Invest in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA), a Team Europe Initiative (TEI).

Last update: May 2023