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JOBS FOR AFRICA

After almost two “lost decades”, sub-Saharan Africa, long beset by economic adversity and civil disorder, is showing the first signs of an economic recovery, with at least 24 countries enjoying economic growth greater than the increase in their population. The overall economic growth rate in sub-Saharan Africa rose to 3.7 per cent in 1995, up from 1.9 per cent in 1994. “Jobs for Africa” represents an attempt by the UN System to contribute to building the capacity of African countries to reverse past decline.

While recovery prospects can be boosted by further domestic reforms and increased international investment, accelerated job and income growth are now critical to sustaining the upturn and maintaining political stability in what has become the world's poorest region. Nearly 75 per cent of the labour force in sub-Saharan Africa (approximately 314 million men and women, or 9 per cent of the world's labour force) still work outside the formal economy, often in subsistence agriculture or in low productivity “informal” activities.

In a first volume entitled “Jobs for Africa: A Policy Framework for an Employment-Intensive Growth Strategy” it was argued that “Africa has no alternative but to embark on a process of sustained GDP growth if it is to avoid continued marginalization” in the global economy.

The present Report proposes a Programme of Action in order to implement an investment-led growth strategy for employment creation and poverty reduction with major emphasis on building the capacity of African countries to design and implement their own policies.

ISBN 92-2-110926-7