The 3rd African Job Creation Forum officially opened on Monday (July 7) at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa. Organized by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and AeTrade Group. The event was held under the theme “Advancing Job Creation and Economic Resilience through Regional Integration, Digital and Financial Inclusion along Agricultural Value Chains in the AfCFTA Market.”
Inaugurated by high-level signatories including Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labour and Skills; and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the forum was attended by ministers, diplomats, business leaders, researchers, and youth entrepreneurs, among others.
In his opening address, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the youth through the implementation of its homegrown economic reform agenda and the ten-year development plan. He emphasized the crucial role these initiatives play in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth while enhancing climate resilience. Highlighting the transformative impact of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, DPM Temesgen noted its contributions not only to ecological restoration but also to economic advancement and improved livelihoods across the country.
He underscored the importance of unity, determination, and optimism in turning the continent’s aspirations into tangible progress. The Deputy Prime Minister also called for coordinated efforts to empower African youth by building their capacity in line with current global trends, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, automation, and innovation.
Minister of Labor and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, emphasized, on her part, the centrality of job creation within Ethiopia’s national development strategy and reform agenda during her remarks. She highlighted the government’s commitment to an institutional approach that places employment generation at the heart of the country’s socio-economic transformation. The Minister also elaborated on the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to build a modern, integrated labor and skills ecosystem. This includes fostering cross-sectoral coordination, engaging the private sector, and strengthening partnerships with regional stakeholders. Muferihat underscored the importance of aligning national efforts with regional integration goals and the broader framework of global interconnectedness, ensuring that Ethiopia’s labor market is both inclusive and responsive to the evolving demands of the modern economy.
Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahammad Ali Youssuf, underscored the critical role of the private sector in driving Africa’s economic transformation, calling for enhanced engagement in trade and the adoption of innovative approaches to overcome challenges in the digital commerce landscape. He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology and youth-led innovations to tackle barriers to digital trade, noting their potential to reshape business models and expand market access across the continent.
Chairperson Youssuf also highlighted the urgent need for sustained efforts and impactful investments aimed at poverty eradication, stressing that inclusive economic growth driven by innovation and private sector collaboration is essential to achieving long-term development across Africa.
Running from July 7 to 9, the forum brought together stakeholders for high-level panel discussions, networking sessions, and an exhibition showcasing innovations in agricultural products. The event provided a platform for participants to collaborate, share best practices, and explore new markets while deliberating on strategies to address unemployment, promote sustainable economic development, and accelerate digitalization across the continent. Major discussions also centered on the establishment and full operationalization of African Union financial institutions, highlighting their critical role in supporting the economic transformation of the continent.