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African youth are among 50 community organizations worldwide selected to receive support through the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge.
Each organization will receive $500,000 to implement programs that equip low-income young people with skills and employment opportunities.
The Citi Foundation is funding the initiative, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to youth economic empowerment globally.
Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge in Africa and worldwide.
The International Labour Organization estimates that 65 million young people are unemployed, placing a burden on public resources, increasing poverty, and slowing economic growth.
“As young people today continue to navigate significant barriers to employment, empowering this next generation with relevant skills and meaningful opportunities is critical,” said Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs at Citi.
“Citi and the Citi Foundation have an established track record of investing in our youth to help them access job opportunities and unlock economic growth more broadly. I look forward to seeing the work of our grantees in action as we work together to help close the job-skills mismatch.”
Skills mismatch continues to be a major obstacle for young job seekers.
According to the World Economic Forum, 63% of employers cite it as a key barrier, and 39% of current skill sets are expected to become outdated within five years.
The post-pandemic acceleration of digital transformation is reshaping employment opportunities, particularly across Africa.
By 2030, 60% of employers anticipate that broader digital access will transform their businesses, creating high demand for skills such as artificial intelligence.
The $25 million investment will enable grantees to pilot and scale programs including digital literacy, technical and vocational training, mentorship, work-based learning, and entrepreneurship support.
These programs are designed to help young people adapt to changing economies and a rapidly evolving job market.
African Grantees Driving Change
Two African organizations are leading innovative initiatives:
- Girl Effect (Kenya): Focused on creating job opportunities for unemployed youth, especially girls and young women, through certifications, vocational training, mentorship, and testing centers in creative and digital industries. Their Tukisonga movement, Swahili for “Moving Forward,” inspires millions of young people across Kenya through TV dramas, radio shows, youth-led podcasts, social media, and community events, helping them take charge of their education, health, and economic futures. (girleffect.org)
- Education For Employment (EFE): Operating across North Africa and the Middle East, EFE provides AI-enabled job matching and upskilling initiatives to help youth navigate the digital economy. Programs include technical and vocational training, work-based learning, and entrepreneurship guidance, connecting young people with meaningful employment opportunities. (efe.org)
“These impactful solutions equip young people with the skills to succeed in changing job markets and make meaningful contributions to their communities,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation and Head of Citi’s Community Investing and Development.
“Philanthropy is an important part of driving global innovation and long-term progress. It can support exploring new ideas, and it can be catalytic, bringing further attention and investments to particular issues and solutions.”
Programs funded by the grants will run for two years.
Recipients will join a learning community of fellow grantees, fostering opportunities to exchange best practices, share lessons learned, and strengthen their impact across Africa and beyond.
“With this 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, we are investing in young people around the world and equipping them with dynamic, community-oriented solutions so they may take charge of their economic futures and succeed in a changing job market,” added McHale.
About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Citi, dedicated to improving the economic well-being of individuals and communities around the world.
The Foundation focuses on initiatives that expand economic opportunities, with a particular emphasis on youth employment, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
Through programs like the Global Innovation Challenge, the Citi Foundation invests in organizations that provide skills training, mentorship, and career pathways for underserved youth, helping them access meaningful employment and take charge of their economic futures.
The Foundation works globally, partnering with nonprofits, governments, and private sector organizations to develop scalable solutions that create long-term social and economic impact.
