GEO-6 for Youth: Africa


Preface by United Nations Environment Programme Director and Regional Representative for Africa


One third of Africa’s 420 million youth aged 15 to 35 are unemployed. Consequently, youth in Africa are twice as likely to be unemployed as adults.


The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) for Youth, Africa: A Wealth of Opportunities, articulates solutions provided by Africa’s youth to tackle unemployment through the green economy. All the seven chapters of the book were authored by nearly one hundred young people from all of Africa’s six sub-regions. They have laid out their concerns about both the state of Africa’s environment and their career prospects. But more importantly, they have provided insights on steps that can be taken to conserve the environment and create jobs.


Although centred on youth voices, this publication is anchored substantively in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) Regional Assessment for Africa. This assessment had a very clear message that, ‘Africa has an opportunity to use its large young population to drive its growth.’ Amongst the report’s key findings was the fact that Africa’s rich natural capital was critical in enhancing the livelihoods of Africans. Sustainable management of this natural capital will ensure a multiplicity of sustainable livelihoods for our young people. Driven by this realization, the UNEP Africa Office has put in place a strategy for engaging African youth in rolling out sustainability across the continent.


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We acknowledge that a changing climate has negatively impacted employment prospects across the continent, thus adversely impacting millions of African youth. Consequently, there


have been fewer jobs for a growing number of youths. This scenario cannot be left unchecked. This publication explores the wealth of livelihood opportunities that can be found not just in tackling climate change, but also in land, water, biodiversity, and environmental policies.


I call upon African youth to come together and use their demographic dominance to build a sustainable, low-carbon Africa. Young people have the potential of ensuring a critical mass in sustainable utilization of Africa’s natural resources. Such is the sustainability that will unlock green jobs in Africa.


Dr Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, United Nations Environment Programme Director and Regional Representative for Africa


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