Youth unemployment: Employers raise concern over graduate skills gap in East Africa

Employers in East Africa have expressed worry over a gap between graduates' skills and what industries require, highlighting that young people continue to face obstacles to employment despite increased regional opportunities. As the East African Community (EAC) strengthens integration, employers and career development specialists are pushing for greater cross-border worker mobility and closer ties between education and industry.

Philip Pande, Executive Director of Corporate Career Academy, stated that despite the region's expanding economic potential — a market of 330 million people — many young people still struggle to access job opportunities in neighboring countries. Pande noted that while there is a wealth of opportunities in the East African Community, graduates face difficulties transitioning these opportunities into employment.

"Employers have emphasized that there is a peculiar skills gap between what the learning institutions are churning out in terms of graduates and what the industry demands," he explained. While many young people, especially Generation Z members, possess technical knowledge and creativity, they often lack soft skills such as teamwork, time management, and collaboration.

This skills mismatch has spurred the November 11–12 East African Employability Summit in Nairobi, which aims to bring together government officials, employers, educators, and young people to address youth employability, skills development, and job access across East Africa. The summit will explore how education, skills training, and industry needs can better align, particularly focusing on improving borderless mobility for skilled workers and enhancing collaboration between educational institutions and industry.

Pande emphasized the need for the EAC Secretariat and relevant government ministries to participate in the summit to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling the skills gap. The two-day event will culminate in the fourth Uongozi Career Awards, recognizing individuals and institutions that support youth career development through mentorship, internships, and training.

As East African economies aim to capitalize on a broader regional labor market, the summit will examine how bolstering skills development, employer collaboration, and cross-border opportunities can empower young people to secure jobs throughout the region.