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Rethinking Education to Re-Engage Youth: Why It’s Time to Focus on Practical Skill Building
In 2023, 20% of youth globally were not involved in employment, education or training — and there is a concerning skills gap, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Meanwhile, the supply of educated youth is exceeding the supply of skilled jobs in many LMICs, forcing young workers to seek lower-paying jobs unrelated to their education and skills. Jessica Crist at SDG Academy explores these challenges, and explains why they're driving the need for a new approach to higher education, focused on practical skill-building and non-traditional formats like online courses, short-term programs and professional training.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
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FG Launches $552.18 million HOPE-EDU Program to Transform Basic Education in Nigeria
According to Alausa, the HOPE-EDU program is structured to address the long-standing problems in Nigeria’s basic education sector.
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The Transformative Impact of Remote Work: How Online Jobs are Empowering Workers in Emerging Markets
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the largest shakeup in workforce culture since the emergence of the internet, with companies and workers embracing remote and hybrid approaches. According to Namya Sethi at Girl Power Talk, this shift continues to affect many professions years later, and these changes are having an especially pronounced effect in emerging economies. She explores how remote work is connecting global employers to local talent in emerging markets, and discusses the impacts this is having on workers, companies and business ecosystems.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
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Shifting from Aid to Entrepreneurship: A Better Response to Forced Displacement
In 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached nearly 123 million. According to Mary Mwangi at Inkomoko, this growing reality, coupled with shrinking humanitarian aid, demands a new response. Instead of seeing forcibly displaced people as passive recipients of aid living in costly refugee camps, she urges the global development sector to view them as individuals with entrepreneurial drive and economic potential. She explores how Inkomoko is working to empower displaced entrepreneurs in Africa through financing, skill development and access to markets.
- Categories
- Investing
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EU Flags Stronger Partnership With South Africa With €4.7 Billion Investment
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a €4.7 billion investment package for South Africa.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Gender Incentives in Climate Finance: Doubling Down on Proven Approaches During Uncertain Times
With the endpoint of the SDGs just five years away, multiple factors have combined to undercut gender and climate-focused funding in several key global economies. Edward T. Jackson, Yiagadeesen Samy and Katie Turner argue that gender incentives in climate finance offer an effective solution to this dual challenge. They explore how these incentives can boost the supply of affordable, renewable energy, while improving wages and economic autonomy for women workers — and they argue that if there were ever a time to double down on this approach, it is now.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing
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Disrupting Waste Management in Emerging Markets: Four Lessons for Strengthening Businesses While Empowering Women and Communities
Early-stage companies in emerging markets whose workforces and value chains are dependent on women face several common challenges. According to Yaquta Fatehi at the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan and John F. Akwetey, these issues are especially relevant in the waste management sector. They share insights from a study of waste management businesses and practices in Kenya, which show the impacts of treating women’s empowerment and community engagement as integral elements of business strategies rather than peripheral concerns.
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Egyptian Ed-Tech Startup Eyouth in $6 Million Digital Skill Development Partnership
Founded in 2016 and taken online in 2018, EYouth designs and builds its own online training courses aimed at helping young people develop their careers and ensure they have the required skills for the labour market.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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