Monrovia, Liberia – The path to tackling West Africa’s crippling 30% youth unemployment rate is being severely hampered by inconsistent government policies, a lack of conducive environments for private sector growth, and pervasive insecurity. This was the resounding message from ECOWAS Parliamentarians during a recent meeting of the joint committees on Administration, Finance and Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Industry, and the Private Sector.
Leading the charge, Senator Osita Izunaso, a Nigerian ECOWAS Parliamentarian, painted a grim picture of policy flip-flops that deter investment. “We came up with a policy where the government banned a certain commodity. Today, they’ve lifted the ban. Tomorrow, they’ve introduced another ban. How do you plan? As a private sector player, how do you plan when you are not sure of what government policies are?” he questioned, highlighting the detrimental impact on long-term business strategies.
Senator Izunaso further underscored the persistent challenges faced by the private sector, particularly the perennial issue of power. “Power is still an issue. We’re still grappling with the issue of diesel and petrol to power our machines. Now, if you are a big industrialist and you are doing something, how do you pay your staff? How do you take care of your overhead? How do you remain profitable?” He also stressed the critical need for a stable legal framework, arguing that investors require certainty in the law. Beyond policy and infrastructure, Senator Izunaso emphasized the human capital deficit, noting the scarcity of “quality manpower to drive this economy,” a gap the ECOWAS Parliament is actively trying to bridge through its focus on vocational training and human capital development. Finally, the omnipresent issue of insecurity casts a long shadow: “Once you’re not sure of your investment, once you’re not sure of your life, then it becomes a problem.”
Udeogalanya Aniekwe, another ECOWAS Parliamentarian, shifted the focus from government-led employment to youth empowerment. “When we talk of creation of jobs, it’s not actually the issue of the government giving out employment. It’s about empowering the youth. Giving them a soft loan, making sure they are well trained in various vocational studies.” He argued that such an approach enables self-employment, with the potential for individuals to establish businesses and employ “10, 20 people,” thereby creating a ripple effect of job creation.
Zakariya Nyampa, an ECOWAS Parliament Member, echoed the call for affordable and monitored policies. He lamented the widespread corruption that plagues implementation, citing instances where “billions of naira for vocational training and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria” have yielded no tangible results. Nyampa also highlighted a concerning decline in interest in crucial vocational skills like welding and carpentry, areas he believes are fundamental to daily needs and offer income generation opportunities. He urged youth to explore these trades, alongside embracing technology and ICT. However, he quickly pivoted to the fundamental challenge of insecurity, particularly in the agricultural sector. “You can’t go to the farm. You can’t plant this even if it’s within a developed area, you see somebody will come and harvest your farm before it’s ripe 100%.” He stressed the imperative for governments to protect citizens’ investments and labor.
Aniekan Bassey, also an ECOWAS Parliamentarian, pointed to a critical “disconnect” between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and job creation. “Most of the FDI that comes in are resource-based and capital intensive. Not really job creation in terms of the SMEs, you know, the manufacturing sector that creates, you know, jobs, you know, at that level.” This analysis suggests that while FDI might be flowing into the region, it’s not necessarily translating into the broad-based job opportunities needed to absorb the large youth population.
For his part, Sharafadeen Alli, a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament, articulated the deep-seated fear among the region’s youth for their future. He reiterated concerns about economic instability, currency fluctuations, and, critically, “unstable policies we have had over the years.” Alli also raised an eyebrow at incentives often extended to foreign investors for prolonged periods, while local companies are left to “suffer.” He urged governments to strike a balance, encouraging foreign investment while simultaneously ensuring stable foreign policy.
Analysis: A Region Grappling with Trust and Structural Barriers
The collective insights from these ECOWAS parliamentarians paint a stark picture of a region struggling with fundamental challenges that impede economic growth and job creation. The recurring theme is a lack of predictability and trust – both in government policies and in the security of investments and lives.
Senator Izunaso’s emphasis on policy inconsistency highlights a critical flaw in governance. Businesses, whether local or foreign, thrive on certainty. Erratic policy shifts create an environment of high risk, discouraging long-term investment that is essential for sustainable job creation. This instability, coupled with chronic power deficits, directly impacts the profitability and expansion potential of industries, making it difficult for them to absorb the burgeoning youth workforce.
Aniekwe’s focus on youth empowerment through vocational training and soft loans is a practical approach to fostering self-reliance. This strategy acknowledges that the government cannot be the sole employer and that nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit is vital. However, the success of such initiatives is inherently linked to the very issues raised by Izunaso and Nyampa: without a stable environment and protection from corruption, even well-intentioned empowerment programs can falter. Nyampa’s lament about “billions of naira” disappearing in vocational training schemes without tangible results underscores this critical point.
Nyampa’s observation about the declining interest in traditional trades like welding and carpentry, juxtaposed with the pursuit of technology, points to a potential mismatch between available skills and societal needs. While embracing technology is crucial, a robust economy requires a diverse skill set, including foundational vocational trades. The pervasive insecurity, particularly in agriculture, further erodes the potential for job creation in a sector that traditionally employs a large portion of the population. This acts as a significant disincentive for both large-scale farming and smallholder engagement.
Bassey’s analysis of FDI being predominantly “resource-based and capital intensive” offers a crucial structural insight. While FDI is generally welcomed, its current nature in the region may not be designed to address the scale of unemployment. For significant job creation, there needs to be a conscious shift towards attracting FDI in labor-intensive sectors, particularly manufacturing and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This requires targeted incentives and a more conducive operating environment for these specific industries.
Finally, Alli’s observation about the fear among youth and the disparity in incentives between foreign and local investors touches on issues of economic justice and long-term sustainability. If local businesses, which are arguably more embedded in the local economy and thus more likely to create jobs for the local populace, feel disadvantaged, it can stifle indigenous growth and perpetuate a cycle of dependence.
In conclusion, the ECOWAS parliamentarians collectively articulate a complex web of interconnected challenges. Addressing youth unemployment in West Africa demands not just piecemeal solutions but a holistic approach that prioritizes:
- Policy Stability and Predictability: Creating a transparent and consistent regulatory environment.
- Infrastructure Development: Particularly in critical areas like power.
- Enhanced Security: Protecting lives, investments, and agricultural activities.
- Targeted Investment Attraction: Encouraging FDI in labor-intensive and manufacturing sectors.
- Human Capital Development: Investing in vocational training and relevant skills.
- Combating Corruption: Ensuring that funds allocated for development and empowerment reach their intended beneficiaries.
Without these fundamental shifts, the aspirations for inclusive job opportunities in West Africa will remain a distant goal.
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