Each year, over 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, yet fewer than 3 million formal jobs are created. Many graduates face prolonged unemployment or underemployment due to skills mismatch, limited practical experience, and weak connections to employers. Academic qualifications alone are often insufficient to meet labor market demands, particularly in fast-evolving sectors shaped by digitalization and automation.

Graduates from marginalized backgrounds face compounded barriers, including lack of professional networks, limited access to internships, and poor exposure to workplace culture. Without structured transition support, young people struggle to navigate the shift from education to employment—resulting in frustration, lost productivity, and social exclusion.