ADDIS ABABA-The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a new partnership agreement to promote social justice, inclusive economic growth, and job creation across the continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the ECA headquarters in Addis Ababa by ILO Assistant Director-General and Africa Regional Director Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa and UN Under-Secretary-General and ECA Executive Secretar. Claver Gatete.
Under the agreement, the two UN agencies will collaborate on a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing key development priorities, including employment creation, skills development, social protection, labour migration, and the integration of informal economies. Particular attention will be given to youth, women, and informal workers, who represent some of the most vulnerable groups in African labour markets.
“This MoU represents not just a formal agreement, but a shared vision and commitment to promote decent work, trade, economic development, and social justice across the continent,” said Fanfan. “We are signing this at a time when Africa faces multiple socioeconomic challenges-from high youth unemployment and labour informality to limited social protection coverage. This partnership empowers us to tackle them more effectively, together.”
Echoing this sentiment, . Claver stressed the importance of stronger institutional collaboration. “This renewed partnership comes at a pivotal time. At this stage, the focus on jobs becomes especially relevant-and that’s where your support within the UN system is critical,” he said. “It is not just about job creation, but also about the quality and standardization of employment across sectors.”
The agreement also outlines collaboration on digital transformation, climate change, trade, and the development of sustainable enterprises. Both organizations aim to promote pro-employment macroeconomic policies, inclusive market systems, and equitable access to resources and opportunities.
The partnership aligns with global and continental frameworks such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.”
It also reinforces the ILO’s Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work and the 2019 Abidjan Declaration on Shaping the Future of Work in Africa.
As the continent continues to grapple with economic uncertainty and social disparities, the ECA–ILO collaboration is expected to make a lasting impact by empowering communities, reducing inequalities, and supporting the transformation of African economies through sustainable and people-centered solutions.
BY NOAL GIRMA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025
