The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in Sierra Leone has concluded a three-day regional meeting in Freetown, bringing together over 100 delegates from 28 to 30 October 2026. The 29th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for West Africa focused on practical strategies to address youth unemployment and promote inclusive economic growth. The meeting was held under the theme, "Unlocking the Potential of Young People in West Africa: Pathways to Employment, Economic Transformation and Resilience."
The meeting resulted in the adoption of the Freetown Declaration on Youth Employment, outlining commitments to tackle unemployment and expand economic opportunities for young people across the subregion. Delegates called for increased investment in employment-generating sectors, stronger youth development institutions, and improved alignment between education and labour-market demands. They also emphasised digital and entrepreneurial skills, technical and vocational education, and gender-responsive planning.
During the discussions, delegates highlighted agriculture as a major source of employment that requires greater investment and modernisation to attract young people. Ghana's representative advocated for improved access to land and finance, mechanised farming, and stronger support for young agricultural entrepreneurs. The representative also proposed recognising sports as a viable employment and business sector.
Senegal's representative proposed dedicating at least two months of the three-month school vacation to vocational and professional training for young people aged 15 to 25. The proposal also called for greater attention to young women and improved coordination of youth employment and training policies. Sierra Leone's intervention highlighted the need to make teaching more attractive to young people through better incentives and remuneration.
Delegates also stressed the importance of formally recognising skills acquired through apprenticeships and informal employment to improve young people's access to further training and formal employment. They called for increased investment in agricultural enterprises, stronger regional value chains, and improved access to markets and finance. The meeting further recommended decentralising youth training and enterprise support to rural communities.
To ensure the recommendations translate into measurable results, delegates called for a monitoring scorecard to track implementation by member States. ECA Subregional Office for West Africa Director Ngone Diop urged member States to implement the recommendations within the proposed short-, medium- and long-term timelines. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay emphasised that the success of the meeting would ultimately depend on the practical results delivered by member States.
The adoption of the Freetown Declaration marks a significant regional commitment to addressing youth unemployment. Delegates endorsed Benin as the proposed host of the 30th Session of the Committee, tentatively scheduled for the last quarter of 2027. The impact of the declaration will depend on sustained political leadership, adequate funding, effective coordination, and accountability to ensure that the agreed measures translate into meaningful employment opportunities and inclusive economic development across West Africa.
Key points
- West African senior officials adopt Freetown Declaration to tackle youth unemployment
- Delegates call for increased investment in employment-generating sectors and stronger youth development institutions
- The adoption of the Freetown Declaration marks a significant regional commitment to addressing youth unemployment
