MENA Youth Employment Summit 2024: Bridging Skills Gaps in a Changing Economy

Tuesday 01 October 2024 - 10:20

Casablanca is set to host a crucial gathering aimed at tackling one of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's most pressing issues: youth unemployment. The MENA YES! (Youth Employment Summit), organized by Education For Employment (EFE), will bring together over 200 participants from diverse sectors on October 7-8, 2024.

This summit comes at a critical time for the MENA region, which continues to grapple with high youth unemployment rates, exacerbated by job shortages and skills mismatches. The event aims to develop strategies that not only address these immediate concerns but also prepare young people for integration into a rapidly evolving economy.

Andrew Baird, President and CEO of EFE, emphasized the summit's goal of creating "concrete solutions" for youth employment. "MENA YES! 2024 is a unique opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions that will enable young people in the MENA region to access a promising professional future," Baird stated.

The summit will feature interactive sessions, workshops, and roundtables focusing on critical areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, women's economic empowerment, and the expanding green and circular job sectors. Recognizing the toll of joblessness on youth well-being, discussions will also address mental health and psychosocial support.

Organizers have stressed the importance of youth voices in decision-making processes, aiming to produce actionable outcomes that align young people's skills with evolving market demands. This approach is designed to generate meaningful employment opportunities and foster economic growth throughout the region.

The event has garnered support from key partners including Dell Technologies, SAP, Trafigura Foundation, Citi Foundation, FHI360, and Bank of America. These organizations are investing in regional efforts to boost youth employment by fostering sustainable job opportunities and modernizing the workforce to meet the demands of a changing economy.

Since its inception in 2006, EFE has played a pivotal role in this mission, helping over 195,000 young people secure employment and collaborating with more than 4,000 companies to close skill gaps. Notably, the organization has demonstrated a strong commitment to women's empowerment, with 57% of its graduates being women.

As the summit approaches, there is growing optimism that MENA YES! 2024 will play a key role in establishing lasting solutions to youth unemployment, a persistent barrier to economic growth throughout the region. By bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and experts from diverse sectors, the event aims to create a collaborative environment where innovative ideas can flourish and concrete actions can be taken to secure a brighter future for MENA's youth.