ABUJA, Nigeria – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is considering the creation of a regional mentoring and apprenticeship network to connect young people with African entrepreneurs, aiming to address youth unemployment and underemployment across West Africa.

At the Youth Conference on the Development of an Economically Inclusive and Peaceful West Africa, Ruben Johnson, coordinator of the ECOWAS Human Capital Development program, stressed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling youth unemployment.

He called for practical, long-term solutions to help young people access meaningful and sustainable job opportunities.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the pressing reality that many young people in our region are struggling to find meaningful and sustainable employment ,” Johnson said.

“It is incumbent on us to devise comprehensive strategies to create pathways for our young people to enter the job market, contribute their talents and realize their full potential,” he added.

The April 29–30 conference in Ghana’s capital is part of the organization’s 50th anniversary celebrations and a key component of the ECOWAS Human Capital Development Strategy, launched in 2021.

Ghana’s Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, also called for stronger regional collaboration.

He said stakeholders must strengthen collaboration to foster an ecosystem that promotes youth empowerment and human capital development.

More than 250 participants, including government officials, educators, business leaders and youth from ECOWAS member states, attended the conference.

Key themes included the root causes of youth unemployment, successful entrepreneurship initiatives and innovative funding opportunities such as the ECOWAS Human Capital Development Catalytic Investment Fund.

Participants also explored the role of technology in job creation, reforms to align education with labor market needs, and strategies to encourage youth civic engagement.

Johnson, who spoke on behalf of ECOWAS Commission Vice President, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to investing more resources in youth development through strategic partnerships and long-term initiatives.