fbpx

Our Work in Nigeria

Young Africa Works in Nigeria

The vision of the Young Africa Works strategy in Nigeria is that by 2030 the country will have built on its vibrant, entrepreneurial culture to create economic opportunities for young people in Nigeria.

Overview

Nigeria is a young, diverse, and dynamic country that abounds with potential. A significant percentage of the 200 million plus people living in Nigeria are between the ages of 15 and 24, with 70 percent of the population being under 30 years old. However, youth unemployment poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s economic prospects. While the national unemployment rate is 33 percent, the youth unemployment rate is considerably higher, at over 42 percent. Three out of 10 Africans who enter the labour market annually are Nigerians.

Our Goal

To enable 10 million young people in Nigeria (70 percent young women) to have access to dignified and fulfilling work by 2030 through Nigeria’s Young Africa Works strategy.

Our Approach

We will deliver interventions and partnerships that tap into Nigeria’s entrepreneurship culture, sizeable private sector, and widespread use of technology to enable over two million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities over the next five years. Our programming is being implemented across the states of Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Imo, and Ondo due to high unemployment rates, gender challenges, existing and upcoming opportunities in Agriculture value chains, and growth opportunities in the Creatives Industry and Digital Economy sectors within these states. However, the adoption of digital tools and solutions allows the Foundation to scale many of our programming activities beyond these states.

Over the next five years, we aim to expand access to affordable financial services for youth-led MSMEs in the agriculture, creative industry, and digital economy sectors. Additionally, we will drive investments in agro-processing and job-creating value chains, while improving farmers’ access to tools and establishing market linkages.

Collaboration with educational institutions is crucial to provide young people with skills in targeted sectors. We will prioritize the growth of the creative industry, addressing barriers and promoting job creation projects. Enhancing employability is also a priority and will be achieved through resume development, apprenticeships, mentorship programs, and digital literacy curriculum adoption. We will also work toward improving the educational ecosystem and promoting renewable, decentralized energy solutions while ensuring opportunities for young women’s participation in dignified and fulfilling work.

Our Focus Areas

Agriculture| Creatives Industry | Digital Economy | Innovative thinking around the Decentralized Renewable Energy sector.

Partner Programs

Art & Entrepreneurship Academy

Partner: Terra Kulture Arts and Studio Limited
Industry: Creatives

Babban Gona Agricultural Franchise

Partner: Babban Gona Agricultural Franchise
Industry: Agriculture

Del-York Youth in Animation and Post-Production Initiative (YAPPI) ​

Partner: Del-York Creative Academy
Industry: Creatives

Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) Transforming Nigerian Youth Project​

Partner: Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University
Industry: Creatives

Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture through Tech-enables Vegetable Production

Partner: Eupepsia Place Limited
Industry: Agriculture

Fashion MSME Skills and Cluster Development Programme (FSCDP)

Partner: Ethnocentrique
Industry: Creatives

Icon of Hope 2

Partner: Women Farmers Advancement Empowerment Foundation (WOFAN)
Industry: Agriculture

Jobberman Young Nigeria Works

Partner: Jobberman
Industry: Digital Economy

Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance initiative for Smallholder farmers

Partner: Babban Gona
Industry: Agriculture

Lean Innovation Fund Nigeria

Partner: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Industry: Agriculture

MSME Revitalization Project

Partner: First City Monument Bank (FCMB)
Industry: Agriculture

MSME Revitalization Project An innovative approach to agribusiness training and start-up for Nigeria young people within the Young Africa Works Program (IITA)

Partner: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Industry: Agriculture

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

To stay up to date with the Mastercard Foundation, sign up for our monthly newsletter. Get youth voices, impact stories and news and announcements all direct to your inbox.

*By signing up for the Mastercard Foundation’s newsletter, you accept our privacy policy.