Kenya has reinforced its position as a regional leader in promoting inclusive economic development by hosting the PROSPECTS Africa Forum on Decent Work and Forced Displacement, a high level gathering that has brought together governments, employers, workers’ organizations and development partners from across Africa to explore sustainable employment opportunities for refugees and host communities.
The three day forum has attracted tripartite delegations from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, providing a platform for policymakers, labour experts and private sector leaders to deliberate on practical solutions that can transform forced displacement into opportunities for economic growth, decent work and social inclusion. The discussions reflect a growing recognition that economic empowerment remains one of the most effective pathways to building resilient societies and fostering regional stability.
Coinciding with the regional forum is the release of a landmark study by Swisscontact, whose findings provide compelling evidence that industry led skills development offers one of the most practical solutions to tackling youth unemployment while simultaneously enhancing business productivity and national competitiveness.
The study, unveiled during the PropelA Business Impact and Investment Insights Breakfast in Nairobi, reveals that businesses investing in structured apprenticeship programmes enjoy significant economic returns through increased productivity, improved workforce capability and stronger enterprise performance. The findings challenge the long held perception that skills development is purely a social investment, instead positioning it as a critical driver of economic growth and industrial transformation.
Swisscontact’s PropelA Dual Apprenticeship Programme has emerged as a successful model for bridging the gap between education and employment. By combining workplace based training with classroom learning, the initiative equips young people with practical, industry relevant skills while enabling employers to develop a pipeline of competent professionals capable of meeting the demands of modern industries. The programme has also demonstrated the value of stronger collaboration between the private sector, training institutions and government in preparing a workforce that responds directly to labour market needs.
The convergence of the PROSPECTS Africa Forum and the Swisscontact study sends a powerful message that Africa’s employment challenges require coordinated solutions involving governments, employers, development partners and educational institutions. Delegates are focusing on expanding labour mobility, strengthening skills recognition, promoting social protection and advancing policy reforms that create inclusive labour markets capable of accommodating both refugees and host communities.
Beyond policy discussions, the Nairobi forum showcases inspiring stories of resilience, innovation and opportunity, illustrating how refugees and host communities can become active contributors to national development when provided with access to skills training, employment opportunities and supportive economic policies.
As Kenya continues advancing its Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the alignment between regional dialogue and Swisscontact’s evidence based research presents a compelling blueprint for sustainable development. Together, they demonstrate that investing in people through quality skills development, robust public private partnerships and inclusive labour market policies is essential for creating decent jobs, empowering young people, supporting displaced populations and building resilient economies across Africa.
The twin initiatives underscore a shared vision for the continent, one where human capital development, innovation and regional cooperation become the foundation for inclusive prosperity, economic resilience and long term sustainable growth.
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