UN, ILO Creates Job Employment Solutions to Address Africa’s Protracted Crises

The United Nations and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have urged African governments and development partners to place employment and skills development at the heart of crisis recovery strategies, warning that without decent work opportunities, communities remain vulnerable to instability and poverty.

Speaking at a side event during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), officials underscored that labour-intensive and locally driven solutions not only cushion communities during disasters but also tackle the deeper causes of fragility.

The event, themed “Jobs and livelihoods, enhancing resilience: A means to address root causes of protracted crises”, convened governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, UN agencies, academics, and civil society leaders to explore how sustainable work can drive long-term recovery.

ILO Assistant Director-General André Bogui stressed that resilience cannot be achieved without inclusive labour markets and strong local capacity. “It means building employment-intensive approaches that deliver immediate relief while ensuring lasting development outcomes,” he noted.

Echoing this, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, said recovery must go beyond restoring old jobs and infrastructure to create diversified and future-proof sources of income. He highlighted the Sendai Framework’s call for proactive disaster prevention and community preparedness.

Drawing lessons from Japan’s disaster management experience, Ambassador Nobuharu Imanishi of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said consistent investment in infrastructure and maintenance not only rebuilds societies but also transfers critical knowledge and expertise to communities.

Business and labour leaders from Japan — including the Japan Business Federation and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation — shared insights on protecting vulnerable groups, ensuring business continuity, and mobilising volunteers, stressing the value of social dialogue and cooperation between governments, employers, and workers.

Across all discussions, one message stood out: creating jobs is not just an economic strategy but a human necessity. By empowering youth, women, and marginalized groups with skills and livelihoods, Africa can strengthen resilience, reduce dependency, and unlock pathways to sustainable peace and prosperity.