Youth Labour Market Trends in West Africa: Insights for Policy and Practice

Across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), young people face persistent challenges in accessing productive and sustainable employment opportunities. Despite periods of relatively strong economic growth, labour markets remain characterised by high levels of informality, a strong concentration of employment in low-productivity agriculture, and significant disparities across gender, disability status and location. Rapid demographic growth further intensifies pressure on labour markets, making youth employment a central development priority for the region. Strengthening the evidence base on these dynamics is essential to better understand the constraints faced by young people and to inform effective policy responses. To contribute to this effort, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has undertaken a new phase of analytical work covering the eight WAEMU countries, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. Building on a long-standing collaboration, this work includes the production of comparable country briefs drawing on newly available harmonized household survey data. The resulting analysis provides updated and comparable insights into youth labour market trends and serves as a basis for dialogue on policy and programme responses. Objectives The webinar aims to: ➤ Present key findings from the latest ILO statistical analysis of youth labour market trends across the eight WAEMU countries; ➤ Provide a platform for dialogue among policymakers, practitioners and youth representatives on the implications of these trends; ➤ Strengthen the link between evidence and policy discussions on youth employment. Audience We welcome governments, regional organizations, youth groups, development partners, researchers, and private sector to join. Details ➤Date: May 20, 2026 ➤Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM CEST ➤Duration: 90 mins ➤Simultaneous interpretation in English and French Agenda & Speakers ​​Welcome and opening remarks ➤ ​Ms Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa ➤ Dr Eunice Muthengi, Director Evidence & Learning Insights, Mastercard Foundation Presentation: Youth labour market trends in WAEMU ➤ Mr Niall O’Higgins, Senior Employment Research Specialist, ILO Discussion: Implications for youth employment policies and programmes ➤ Moderator: Ms Sara Elder, Head, Employment Analyses & Economic Policies Unit, ILO ​Panellists: ​Mr Maurice Lorka, Program Lead, Policies WAEMU, Mastercard Foundation Mr Ali Madai Boukar, Employment & Socio-Economic Recovery Specialist, ILO Mr Juste Coulibaly, Economist Planner, Head of the Gender Equality and Equity Division, WAEMU Commission Ms Candide Houngbedji, Team Manager, Human Rights Advocate, Feminist Activist, Filmmaker & Photographer Q&A with audience Closing