Abuja — The World Bank has projected that Nigeria and a few other African nations will account for nearly half of Africa’s total employment challenge by 2050, citing rapid population growth, slow economic diversification, and limited job creation in productive sectors as key concerns.
In its latest report titled “Africa’s Jobs Puzzle: Mobilizing Private Sector Solutions”, the global lender warned that unless urgent reforms are implemented, the continent could face an unprecedented labour market crisis, with more than 600 million working-age Africans struggling to find stable and productive employment.
The report identifies Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo as the countries that will contribute the most to Africa’s expanding labour force, collectively representing half of the working-age population by mid-century.
According to the World Bank, the scale of job creation required to absorb new entrants into the workforce far exceeds current trends, with many economies still dependent on low-productivity agriculture and informal trade.
“By 2050, Africa’s working-age population will double. Nigeria and a handful of other countries will drive this growth, shaping both the scale and nature of the continent’s jobs challenge,” the report stated.
It emphasized that without deliberate efforts to boost industrialization, expand education and skills development, and attract private investment, millions of young Africans risk being trapped in poverty and informal employment.
The World Bank urged African governments to prioritize reforms that stimulate private sector-led job creation, particularly in manufacturing, digital services, and agribusiness. It also called for greater investment in infrastructure and human capital to prepare young people for the evolving global economy.
Nigeria, with an estimated population exceeding 220 million, remains Africa’s most populous country and one of the fastest-growing. Yet, the nation continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, underemployment, and sluggish economic growth across key sectors.
Experts say that unless Nigeria accelerates policy implementation to enhance competitiveness and ease of doing business, the jobs crisis could worsen, deepening inequality and social instability across the region.
The report concludes with a call for regional cooperation, emphasizing that Africa’s economic future depends on how effectively its largest economies — including Nigeria — can transform demographic growth into an engine for inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
