The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have collaborated to develop a regional digital platform aimed at tracking progress toward the African Union's demographic dividend goals. The platform's technical validation and operationalization works took place in Abidjan from September 7-9, 2026. The initiative brings together eight pilot countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.
The platform focuses on four key areas: health and well-being, education and skills development, employment and entrepreneurship, and governance and youth empowerment. These areas form the foundation of the African Union's 2017 roadmap for harnessing the demographic dividend through youth investment. The tool is designed to facilitate progress monitoring, identify gaps, and inform data-driven decision-making.
During the three-day event, participants tested the platform's features, enhanced their technical capacities, and provided recommendations for finalizing the updated version. The platform will enable the tracking of indicators related to the implementation of the African Union's roadmap.
The launch ceremony brought together high-level officials, including Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Planning and Development, Souleymane Diarrassouba, UNECA's West Africa subregional office director, Ngone Diop, and UNFPA resident representative, Saidou Kabore. Representatives from the UN system and the eight pilot countries also attended.
The demographic dividend roadmap emphasizes investing in youth to drive economic growth and development. By leveraging digital technology, African nations aim to optimize their progress toward this goal. The platform is expected to play a critical role in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of youth investment initiatives.
The partnership between UNECA, UNFPA, and the African Union underscores the commitment to harnessing the potential of Africa's youth. By working together, these organizations seek to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for the continent.
As the platform prepares for large-scale deployment, it is expected to have a significant impact on Africa's development trajectory. The tool will help countries track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions to maximize their demographic dividend.
Key points
- UNECA and UNFPA have developed a digital platform to track progress toward the African Union's demographic dividend goals.
- The platform focuses on four key areas: health and well-being, education and skills development, employment and entrepreneurship, and governance and youth empowerment.
- Eight pilot countries are participating in the platform's development and testing, with plans for large-scale deployment.
