Kenya has officially taken over the Chairmanship of the Jobs for Youth in Africa (JFYA), marking a significant shift in the continent’s fight against youth unemployment. 

The leadership mantle was handed over from Rwanda, positioning Kenya at the center of policy coordination and implementation efforts aimed at expanding job opportunities for young people.

Speaking after assuming the role, Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya outlined an ambitious agenda focused on delivery and impact.

“Kenya will prioritize job creation, strengthen small and medium enterprises, and ensure young people are fully integrated into mainstream economic growth. This is about measurable results, not just dialogue,” Mvurya stated.

The urgency is clear. Every year, nearly 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are created — leaving millions either unemployed or underemployed.

The World Bank has pledged continued support to bridge this gap. Its Vice President for Eastern Africa, Ndiamé Diop, emphasized the need for scalable solutions.

“Africa’s demographic dividend can only be realized through sustained investment in skills, entrepreneurship and private sector growth. Supporting small businesses and innovation ecosystems is critical to unlocking jobs at scale,” said Diop.

With Kenya now steering the JFYA Community of Practice, expectations are high that the country will champion bold, data-driven reforms and strengthen collaboration among member states.

For millions of young Africans, the shift in leadership signals renewed hope — and a test of whether continental commitments can translate into real jobs on the ground.