Bhekinkosi Moyo the Director of the Africa Centre on Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) speaking at the convening
Stakeholders from across Africa’s development landscape are meeting in Dakar for a high-level validation workshop focused on one central question: how the nonprofit sector is shaping youth employment across the continent.
The convening, led by the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, brings together government officials, nonprofit leaders, youth organisations, researchers and private sector actors to review findings from a major five-year continental study.
At the heart of the discussions is growing recognition that the nonprofit sector is not just a support system but a significant driver of employment and livelihoods for young Africans.
As CAPSI noted in its media backgrounder:
“The workshop comes at a critical time as African countries continue to grapple with persistent youth unemployment, inequality and limited access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.”
Spotlight on the Nonprofit Sector
The study, spanning 17 African countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, is one of the most comprehensive efforts to date to document the contribution of the nonprofit sector to African economies.
While nonprofits are often associated with service delivery, the research highlights their expanding role in job creation, skills development, enterprise support and community-based economic activity.
For many young people especially those in marginalised communities nonprofit organisations are among the first points of access to opportunity.
The Dakar workshop is focused on validating findings from a large-scale survey conducted across these countries, ensuring the data reflects lived realities on the ground.
According to CAPSI:
“The workshop aims to assess the accuracy, relevance and contextual interpretation of the findings… strengthening the credibility of the research while ensuring alignment with policy and practice priorities across Africa.”
From Evidence to Influence
Participants are not only reviewing data but also interrogating what it means for policy and practice.
By bringing together diverse actors from grassroots organisations to policymakersthe workshop is designed to ensure that the role of the nonprofit sector is properly understood, recognised and integrated into national development strategies.
This validation process is a critical step in bridging the gap between research and action, particularly in a sector that is often underrepresented in formal economic planning despite its widespread impact.
The gathering builds on earlier consultations held in Kigali, Accra and Mombasa, where nonprofit actors and youth groups helped shape the research direction and identified key challenges affecting employment across regions.
A Sector Often Overlooked
One of the key messages emerging from the study is the need to shift how the nonprofit sector is perceived.
Rather than being viewed solely as a complementary actor, the research positions it as a core part of Africa’s employment ecosystem.
CAPSI states:
“The project goes beyond analysis; it is a call to action aimed at elevating the visibility and recognition of the non-profit sector as a critical contributor to African economies.”
This reframing is particularly significant at a time when governments and development partners are searching for scalable, inclusive solutions to youth unemployment.
The nonprofit sector’s proximity to communities and its flexibility in responding to local needs place it in a unique position to deliver such solutions.
Towards More Inclusive Employment Pathways
The study also emphasises the quality of work being created. Beyond job numbers, it focuses on access to dignified and fulfilling livelihoods, highlighting how nonprofit organisations support young people not just to earn, but to build sustainable futures.
As CAPSI noted:
“By strengthening evidence, fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices, the project contributes towards building a more inclusive, resilient and opportunity-driven future for African youth.”
What Comes Next
As the validation workshop continues in Dakar, stakeholders are expected to refine the findings ahead of broader dissemination.
The final outcomes are likely to influence how governments, funders and development actors engage with the nonprofit sector in tackling youth unemployment.
For many participants, the significance of this moment lies in visibility ensuring that the work nonprofits are already doing across the continent is recognised, supported and scaled.
In doing so, the discussions in Dakar could help reposition the nonprofit sector from the margins of economic discourse to the centre of Africa’s youth employment agenda.
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