Joblessness is a perennial problem in many developing countries. As increasing numbers of young people of employment age are released into the society each year with little or no opportunity to make a productive contribution, the dependence ratio on the social safety net of these struggling economies increases.

The Youth and Informal Enterprise Initiative started in May 2005, and will initially focus on Kenya, Nigeria, Mali and South Africa. It was established to engage marginalized African youth in structured activities that will give them the training, access to financing and mentoring needed to foster viable businesses, and bolster the economic development of their communities. To this end, the program identifies training institutions and courses that will give its members the academic and technical business skills to be successful in their commercial undertakings. Partnerships with financial institutions are formed so the fledgling entrepreneurs have access to funding to start up their enterprises. Lastly, each participant in the initiative is coupled with a successful business professional in his community, who provides constant advice and mentoring to see each new venture to fruition.


The International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Grassroots Business Initiative’s (GBI) and the Youth and Informal Enterprise Initiative, have formed alliances with local institutions to provide the services needed to generate and sustain employment, and limit the drain on the country’s strained social services.

Areas of assistance include:

• Developing local mentor systems, that allow fledgling entrepreneurs to receive continuous support and advice from local business executives. This will include a mentor accreditation process that can be replicated.
• Promoting a culture of entrepreneurship among youth through partnerships with the media, schools and universities, and engaging them with business plan competitions and mini-ventures.
• Increasing access to entrepreneurship training, through alliances with business development professionals, corporations, and educational institutions, as well as development tools and curriculums that can later be applied elsewhere.
• Making financing more available by forming affiliations with local banks and microfinance institutions.