Summary

Introduction

Africa’s youth population is growing at an accelerated rate, with those aged 15 to 24 expected to exceed 800 million by 2050.¹ Based on fundamental assumptions², the increase in Africa’s youth population was expected to translate into positive economic growth, with ripple effects on development outcomes for the continent. However, this has not been the case. Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows youth unemployment in Africa to be relatively stable at a rate of 11.2% since 2021.³ This implies that the growth in Africa's youth population has not positively correlated with the employment growth rate and productivity. In response to this challenge, the African Union (AU) has set ambitious goals for promoting the welfare and decent employment of Africa's youth as outlined in the AU 2006 Youth Charter 2006, the plan of action for the African Decade for Technical, Professional, Entrepreneurial Training and Youth Employment (2019-2028), the Malabo Declaration on Youth Empowerment, and the AU Agenda 2063. These policies and strategy documents indicate widespread recognition of the transformative potential of green technologies, particularly for youth employment in Africa.

The transformative potential of green technologies

Africa’s unique combination of natural resources, youthful population and growing commitment to sustainable development makes it particularly suited to capitalise on green technologies for transformative change.⁴ Green technologies hold tremendous transformative potential for Africa, particularly in the context of addressing youth unemployment, fostering sustainable development and driving economic growth. These technologies, centred on environmental sustainability, can unlock new opportunities across various sectors, promote inclusive growth and align with Africa’s broader development goals. The International Renewable Energy Agency⁵ projects that appropriate investment policies could create around 4 million jobs in the African renewable energy industry by the year 2030, up from just 247,000 jobs in 2019. Moreover, the ILO^6/ estimates that Africa could create 60 million new jobs by 2030 through green transitions in the energy, waste and natural resource sectors. The potential role of green technologies for youth employment is demonstrated below with examples from renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management and green construction.

Renewable energy

The renewable energy sector, particularly solar and wind power, represents a significant avenue for green technology-driven transformation in Africa. Several African countries are adopting large-scale renewable energy projects to meet growing energy demands while addressing energy access gaps in underserved rural areas. For example, the off-grid solar industry in East Africa has provided more than 350,000 jobs, many of which are available for youth with differing levels of education.⁷ Morocco's Noor Solar Complex, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant, exemplifies how green technology can spur economic growth while creating thousands of jobs for Africa's youth. This ambitious project is part of Morocco’s goal to generate 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. The plant offsets 240,000 t of CO₂ emissions a year and generated approximately 1,000 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs during the operation and maintenance phase.⁸ This project has created a growing solar energy industry in the region, with opportunities for local manufacturing and engineering firms.⁹ Similarly, South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has not only contributed to energy security but also spurred local job creation. Since its inception, the REIPPPP is estimated to have generated over 40,000 jobs and brought in USD 14 billion in investment, establishing a vibrant green energy market.¹⁰ These projects showcase the ability of renewable energy technologies to address Africa’s energy needs while fostering economic opportunities and job creation for young people.

Sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is another area where green technologies can significantly impact both environmental sustainability and youth employment. Green technologies in agriculture involve precision farming, climate-smart agricultural practices, organic farming and agroforestry, which improve resource efficiency and resilience to climate change. Given that agriculture is a primary source of employment in Africa, integrating green technologies into the sector offers a critical path to reducing youth unemployment, improving food security and boosting rural economies. In Ethiopia, for example, where 85% of the youth are employed in agriculture, climate-smart agricultural interventions have engaged farmers. The Ethiopian Agricultural Integration Agency, for example, has been active in the modernisation and the adoption of techniques aimed at improving yields and conserving the environment.¹¹ In Kenya and South Africa, the adoption of precision agriculture technologies, such as drip irrigation, mobile-based farm management systems and soil sensors, has led to significant increases in crop yields while reducing resource wastage.¹² Companies like Twiga Foods use digital platforms to connect smallholder farmers with markets, improving efficiency in food distribution while promoting sustainable agricultural practices and creating jobs for youth all over the cities.¹³ Youth are increasingly engaged in these new technologies, gaining employment as data analysts, mobile app developers and farm managers, while also receiving training in modern farming techniques. The development of sustainable agriculture in Nigeria—where the largest number of climate-smart agriculture jobs in Africa are projected to be created by 2030¹⁴—is also creating economic opportunities, including organic farming, agroforestry and permaculture, as well as the development of drought-resistant crops.

Waste management

Green technologies in waste management present opportunities to turn waste into resources. This circular economy model, which emphasises the reuse and recycling of materials, reduces the strain on natural resources while creating new economic activities and jobs. Waste remediation and recycling, for instance, is projected to create 197,000 African jobs by 2030.¹⁵ At the country scale, Nigeria’s waste management challenges, particularly in megacities like Lagos, have driven the adoption of waste-to-energy technologies. Projects such as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s (LAWMA) collaboration with private companies in recycling and composting have led to the creation of 25,000 green jobs in waste collection, sorting and processing.¹⁶ These initiatives have not only reduced the amount of waste ending up in landfills but have boosted employment: Newly created recycling companies such as the Lagos-based WeCyclers hire youth to collect and process recyclable wastes.¹⁷

The circular economy is also gaining momentum in East Africa, where countries like Rwanda and Kenya have developed plastic bag bans and sustainable waste management strategies. Youth-led startups and initiatives in Rwanda such as EnviroReserve and Accelerate2030 are capitalising on these opportunities by developing innovative recycling solutions, such as converting plastic waste into construction materials and fashion items, contributing to both job creation and environmental sustainability. Likewise, the Dandora dumpsite, which became a mark of urban degradation in Kenya, has turned into an opportunity for recycling and upcycling for the youth who live around it.¹⁸ These instances illustrate how there is potential for green jobs in waste collection, recycling and upcycling, and in creating biodegradable materials that substitute plastic and lessen the impact on the environment.

Green construction

As African cities continue to grow, the demand for green infrastructure will rise, opening up new job markets and promoting the development of environmentally sustainable urban space. Green building technologies, including the use of sustainable materials, energy-efficient designs and eco-friendly construction practices, are transforming Africa’s infrastructure sector. In Ethiopia, the construction industry has embraced green building technologies, with several projects incorporating eco-friendly designs and materials. For example, the Hawassa Industrial Park, Africa’s first eco-industrial park, utilises renewable energy, water recycling systems and sustainable waste management practices. According to the World Bank, this park, which focuses on the textile industry, has created over 60,000 jobs and is a model for integrating sustainability into industrial development.¹⁹ Young engineers and architects are increasingly trained in green building technologies, and these skills are in high demand as more African nations adopt sustainable urban planning models. These examples demonstrate that green technologies offer solutions that not only address environmental concerns but also drive economic development, job creation and social progress.

Challenges and barriers to adopting green technologies in Africa

Despite the enormous potential that green technologies hold for addressing environmental issues and creating jobs for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, progress in their adoption remains limited. While countries such as Morocco, Kenya and South Africa have made strides in implementing large-scale renewable energy projects and green solutions, the widespread use of green technologies across the continent is still hampered by a host of challenges. These barriers cut across economic, institutional, infrastructural, educational and social dimensions.

Limited access to financing

One of the most significant barriers to green technology adoption in Africa is the lack of access to adequate and affordable financing. Green technologies, particularly renewable energy projects, waste management systems and sustainable agriculture solutions, often require substantial upfront capital investment. Many African countries, however, face fiscal constraints and limited access to international capital markets, which makes financing large-scale green projects challenging. Furthermore, private sector investors often shy away from green ventures due to the perceived risks associated with long payback periods and regulatory uncertainties.

A significant risk factor that has limited private capital and investment in green technologies can be traced to currency fluctuation and the liquidity constraints associated with investment in African clean technologies. The World Bank country report shows that since 2011, the currencies of major African countries such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, among others, have declined in value when compared to the US dollar. For example, in 2016, the Nigerian naira experienced a significant devaluation, losing over 40% of its value against the US dollar. By June 2016, the naira was trading at about NGN280/USD, with the situation worsening by the end of the year as it fell to an average of NGN315/USD.²⁰ This has widely affected multiple sectors and contributed to the low levels of private sector investment in green technology in Africa, thereby limiting the potential of green technologies in creating employment opportunities for Africa's youth. Additionally, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa face significant challenges in accessing capital, markets and technology needed to transition to green business models. Without stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors, the ability to catalyse widespread adoption of green technologies remains constrained. This financing gap is compounded by the limited availability of green financing mechanisms, such as climate finance, green bonds and concessional loans, making it difficult for small businesses and startups to enter and thrive in green technology sectors.

Policy gaps and implementation challenges

Many African countries have developed national frameworks and action plans to promote green growth. However, there remains a disconnect between policy formulation and implementation. Inconsistent policy environments, coupled with weak regulatory frameworks, prevent the effective rollout of green technologies. For example, the Nigeria Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) to increase the renewable energy contribution to Nigeria’s energy mix, aims to generate 10% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The targets set by REMP have largely not been met, with renewable energy penetration remaining low despite the abundance of solar and wind resources in the country. This is due to the fact that Nigeria's regulatory framework for energy development has not adequately supported the integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid.

African green technology projects also suffer from lengthy regulatory approval processes, complex land acquisition procedures and fluctuating tariffs for the supply of clean energy, which discourages investment and slow project execution.²¹ Additionally, while policies may exist on paper, inadequate enforcement mechanisms often lead to poor compliance. This gap between policy intent and practice hinders the establishment of a robust green economy and prevents green technology from being a mainstream solution for job creation and sustainability.

Inadequate infrastructure and limited private sector engagement

Africa’s underdeveloped infrastructure poses a major hurdle to green technology adoption and its potential to create green jobs. Renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, require extensive energy grids, transmission networks and storage systems, which are often lacking in many regions. Rural areas, in particular, suffer from a lack of infrastructure to support renewable energy deployment and green technology solutions. Similarly, poor waste management infrastructure inhibits the adoption of circular economy practices such as recycling and waste-to-energy technologies.

Where these do exist, the private sector plays a crucial role in driving infrastructure development, innovation, investment and scaling up green technologies.²² However, many African economies are characterised by limited private sector involvement in the green technology space. Regulatory uncertainty, insufficient market incentives and the absence of clear investment signals from governments deter private sector actors from committing resources to green ventures.²³ This hampers the ability of green technologies to create employment opportunities for youth in Africa.

Thus, while Africa holds vast potential for leveraging green technologies to drive economic growth, create jobs and address environmental challenges, financial barriers, inadequate infrastructure, policy gaps, private sector disengagement and governance issues all contribute to the slow pace of green technology adoption across the continent. Addressing these barriers will require coordinated efforts from governments, the private sector, international organisations and civil society to unlock the transformative potential of green technologies and ensure that Africa’s youthful population can contribute meaningfully to the continent’s green economy transition.

Pathways to advancing green technology and youth employment in Africa

For Africa to unlock the full potential of green technology and boost youth employment, several preconditions must be met. These include addressing gaps in skills development, improving access to finance, encouraging entrepreneurship, fostering international collaboration and enacting supportive policies. This section outlines key strategies and necessary improvements while drawing on examples that can be adapted to the African context.

Strengthening skills development and capacity building

A major barrier to youth inclusion in green technology sectors is the skills gap, particularly the mismatch between educational outputs and labour market demands in emerging green industries. Closing this gap requires targeted investments in formal education, vocational training and digital literacy programmes. Africa can learn from the Zambian vocational training programmes in renewable energy, such as those focused on training solar technicians.²⁴ These programmes equip young people with hands-on skills while responding to market demand in the renewable energy sector. Similarly, South Africa's Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) provides green skills training and employment in areas like waste management and ecosystem restoration.²⁵ Expanding such programmes across Africa can bridge the skills gap and create immediate job opportunities.

Enhancing access to finance for green enterprises

Access to finance remains one of the most significant challenges faced by young African entrepreneurs looking to establish businesses in green sectors. Financial institutions often view these startups as high-risk ventures due to the uncertainties in technology, markets and the long-term viability of business models. To overcome these barriers, innovative financial solutions must be designed and scaled to ensure that more youth-led green enterprises can access the capital they need to grow. Similarly, blended finance models, which combine public, private and philanthropic capital, offer a promising way to reduce the risk for investors and make it easier for green enterprises to access funds. For instance, the African Clean Energy Development Programme (ACE) targets start-ups and early-stage clean energy companies by providing both capital and technical expertise.²⁶ This model ensures that young entrepreneurs not only receive the necessary funding but also gain access to mentorship, market insights and capacity-building initiatives. By de-risking investments, blended finance can attract a wider range of investors to support green enterprises, helping to create more jobs for Africa's youth in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management and sustainable agriculture.

Promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation

The entrepreneurial potential of Africa’s youth must be harnessed to drive green job creation. This can be achieved through enterprise support programmes, innovation hubs and collaborative spaces. In order to achieve this, Africa can adopt successful models like Kenya’s Climate Innovation Center, which supports startups in climate-smart agriculture and clean energy through mentorship, technical assistance and access to finance.²⁷ By expanding such hubs across the continent and providing business incubation services, Africa can encourage more youth-led green startups to scale up, thereby creating jobs and fostering environmental sustainability. Moreover, initiatives such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund have shown that targeted support for green businesses through low-interest loans and business advisory services can foster green job creation and innovation. Scaling such initiatives would not only spur the growth of green industries but also open doors for youth employment.

In addition to promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation programmes, the fusion of green technology and digital innovation offers significant opportunities for African youth. Digital literacy programmes that equip young people with skills in coding, data analysis and digital innovation are vital for their participation in emerging green sectors such as smart agriculture and environmental monitoring. For example, ALX, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is developing millions of digital leaders from the continent in the next decade. Over 85,000 learners have graduated from ALX since 2021, and approximately 85% of its graduates have found employment within six months of completing their training.²⁸ In Kenya, universities, such as Strathmore University are meeting these challenges by offering courses in renewable energy and environmental technology. In the same manner, the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences Algeria also trains in designing and managing renewable energy systems and resources. These institutions equip students with technical know-how and develop the entrepreneurial mindset that is so important for green industrial innovations. The success of Africa Code Week, supported by SAP and UNESCO, demonstrates the potential of coding and digital skills training in preparing Africa’s youth for the digital economy. Expanding such initiatives across the continent will empower more youth to contribute to the green economy while enhancing their employability.

Strengthening public-private partnerships and international collaboration

According to the World Bank report,²⁹ there is a need for new policies and partnerships to promote green infrastructure development and inclusive growth across the continent. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and international collaboration are essential in mobilising the resources and expertise needed to scale green technologies across Africa. The continent can draw inspiration from initiatives such as the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya, where collaboration between the government, private investors and international agencies has significantly expanded renewable energy capacity and created jobs.³⁰ Similarly, the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), supported by international partners and the African Union, seeks to increase renewable energy penetration on the continent while fostering green job creation.³¹

In strengthening public-private partnerships, governments have a pivotal role to play in shaping the green economy through regulatory frameworks and incentives. African countries therefore need to enact policies that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable business practices to support green job creation. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in South Africa serves as a model for drawing private sector investment into renewable energy projects.³² Similarly, in Rwanda, the National Strategy for Climate Change and Low Carbon Development provides a framework to support the inclusion of climate resilience and low carbon development in the country’s main economic sectors while promoting green job development opportunities.³³ Other African governments can adopt similar policies to incentivise green technology investments, reduce taxes on environmentally friendly products and promote youth entrepreneurship in green sectors.

Conclusion and call to action at COP29

The combination of green technology and youth unemployment offers tremendous possibilities for Africa. With the help of green technology, the continent can boost environmental protection and social upliftment by exploiting the creative energies of the youth. Sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and the circular economy are particularly promising in this regard. However, in order to enable such developments, concrete actions are needed in the direction of capability-building, support for entrepreneurship, and effective policy.

As Africa prepares for COP29, there must be a provision to ensure that the specific context of the continent, with respect to green technology and youth employment in Africa is appreciated in global climate discussions. Critical actions that need to be undertaken at COP29 to promote green technology and youth employment in Africa include the following:

About the authors

Ifeoma Malo

Ifeoma Malo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Clean Technology Hub, and is leading the creation of a global nexus between energy access, climate tech and sustainable entrepreneurship. She has over 23 years experience building and directing organisational operations and strategy, supporting start-ups and MSMEs across Africa.

Gift Nwamadu

Gift Nwamadu is the Chief of Staff at Clean Technology Hub. She is a dedicated leader in advancing climate action, energy access, gender equity and the empowerment of climate-focused MSMEs. She drives the execution of strategic initiatives that promote climate resilience and sustainable development.