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A new youth-led research released today by the MasterCard Foundation’s Youth Think Tank provides key insights into youth employment and entrepreneurship trends in East Africa and shows how youths in the region are seeking a greater voice in their future.

The report includes data from more than 400 interviews with youth, government representatives and other stakeholders across East Africa.

Some key findings from the report indicate that young people in East Africa are optimistic about developing their skills, pursuing self-employment and are eager to participate in the policy decisions that positively impact their lives. The report shows that youths are using information and communication technology (ICT) to acquire the type of skills employers seek.

The findings of the report were announced by the 15 members of the Youth Think Tank at a launch organized by Restless Development, a youth-led international development agency, in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation.

The 15 youth members were chosen from Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya to conduct research in their respective communities on the challenges and opportunities facing youth when they enter the labour market. They were recruited, trained and supported by Restless Development. Established in 2012, the Youth Think Tank helps young people to be meaningfully engaged in improving their economic opportunities in Africa.

"The Youth Think Tank demonstrates the dedication and energy of young people to seek positive change within their communities," said Ann Miles, Director, Financial Inclusion and Youth Livelihoods at the MasterCard Foundation. "Their research is an important piece of work that will help to inform not only the Foundation's strategy for expanding youth economic opportunities, but also governments and policymakers in the youth development space."

The report also highlights the interest of young people in rural areas who are carefully considering employment opportunities in agriculture, rather than migrating to urban centres. However, they face many challenges to achieving their objectives as entrepreneurs, including limited access to financial services and limited business management skills.

The think tank’s report also shows that young people recognize the efforts of East African government initiatives to advance youth employment and entrepreneurship but they also report that there are many missing components, such as individual rather than group loans and business skills training.

"I have observed first-hand the sense of disempowerment that comes with youth unemployment," said Youth Think Tank Member Hilda Namakula from Uganda. "Through this research, I can be part of the solution by gaining an in-depth understanding of this problem and being a voice for youth."

There are also a number of barriers that impede the ability of youths to earn a sustainable means of living, including gender inequality, limited access to land and limited access to information and technology, according to the findings of the report.

The MasterCard Foundation said Youth Think Tank members will continue to engage with their communities to generate a discussion on how to address the findings of the research and will also play an active role for future Youth Think Tank research. The report will be shared among partner and stakeholder networks as well as Youth Think Tank alumni in order to extend the reach of learning and further strengthen approaches to youth engagement across Africa.

"Young people were in charge throughout the process that led to this report," said Greg Lavender, Uganda Country Director for Restless Development. "In addition to learning from the findings, we hope that others will be inspired to fully engage young people as leaders in shaping and delivering youth-focused initiatives."