Pilot
Youth Employment Lab
Economic Inclusion for Africa’s Next Generation
Employment / Economic InclusionNigeria, South Africa, Uganda
Initiative Stages:
Pilot— Testing and learning
Scaling— Expanding proven model
Embedded— Institutionalised in system
1The Problem
What Is Broken, and For Whom
Placeholder copy. Africa’s young people are its greatest asset, yet millions leave education into economies that cannot absorb them. Existing employment programs are fragmented, supply-led, and rarely connected to real labour-market demand.
2SITU’s Role
What SITU Specifically Contributes
Placeholder copy. SITU incubates and fiscally hosts a network of demand-led skilling and job-matching pilots, connecting youth cooperatives to employers, training providers, and results-based finance.
3Journey So Far
Key Milestones
1
2024: Design sprint with 5 employer partners in Lagos and Johannesburg
2
2025: First cohort of 400 young people placed into paid work or apprenticeships
3
2026: Pilot expanded to Kampala; outcomes evaluation underway
Long-term Ambition
Placeholder copy. By 2030, establish a replicable, African-owned model that moves 100,000 young people into dignified work through demand-led skilling and employer partnerships.
Current Stage
Pilot
Scaling
Embedded
Early Evidence
400+
Youth Placed
5
Employer Partners
68%
Retention at 6 Months
3
Countries
Partners Involved
Mastercard Foundation
Local Employer Networks
National Youth Service Agencies
Regional Training Providers