Senyo Hosi, Founder and Executive Chairman of Kleeve and Tove Ltd, has declared that Africa’s unemployment crisis extends beyond a simple lack of jobs. He stated the continent faces a deeper problem of weak production, low productivity, and a shortage of businesses capable of employing young people at scale.
Hosi made these remarks at the Students & Young Professionals Africa Liberty Academy (SYPALA) 2026, organized by IMANI Africa. He spoke on the topic “Beyond Politics: How Business and Public Policy Can Drive Africa’s Transformation.” Hosi emphasized that the scale and quality of employment available to young people should be a major concern for governments, businesses, and policymakers across the continent. This employment crisis reflects Africa's limited productive capacity, with too few companies operating at a scale to absorb many skilled young people.
This assessment highlights a critical structural issue within African economies, including Ghana’s. Many economies struggle to transition from informal, subsistence-based activities to formalized, high-productivity sectors. Data from 2023 showed nearly three out of four young adults aged 25 to 29 in sub-Saharan Africa were in insecure work. This trend underscores a persistent challenge in creating stable, well-paying jobs. The situation has likely worsened, according to Hosi, indicating a need for urgent policy interventions.
“Unemployment is often discussed as a labour market problem. But Africa is also a production problem,” Hosi stated. He further explained that about 60% of those experiencing employment insecurity are in the agrarian sector. These individuals are largely outside the more productive parts of the agricultural value chain. This means simply counting people engaged in economic activity does not fully capture the quality or security of their employment.
The implications for Ghana are significant, as its experience mirrors this broader African pattern. Ghana faces similar structural difficulties, including limited large-scale production and inadequate links between businesses and sources of finance. Hosi identified informality, underemployment, and low productivity as key challenges. He also noted the scarcity of firms producing at scale, too few industries adding value, and insufficient connection to money markets. This lack of patient capital and numerous barriers prevent small enterprises from becoming large employers.
Hosi urged policymakers to stop treating youth employment as a secondary issue. He warned that the failure to create productive jobs affects macroeconomic stability, social cohesion, democratic legitimacy, and national security. He called for a shift in focus from merely reducing unemployment figures to building productive economies. These economies must be capable of creating quality jobs at scale. Africa’s growing youth population can become an economic advantage only if governments and businesses create the necessary productive capacity. This capacity is vital to employ and retain young talent, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for the continent.