Macroeconomic framework conducive to employment generation for youth and women self-employment in West Africa

Abstract

The high unemployment and poverty in the West African countries in the midst of the resilient growth have rekindled the debate on the social consequences of recent economic reforms. Proponents of orthodox adjustment policies argue that sustained economic reforms led to macroeconomic stability and improvement in GDP growth after years of economic recession. Evidence from the West African sub-region suggests that the implementation of policies in most reform countries have yielded positive growth following the economic downturns of the 1970s and early 1980s. A key feature of unemployment in the sub-region is its concentration in the youth and the women groups given their high proportion in the total population. Furthermore, female unemployment tends to be higher and women engage more in disguised activities. The growing numbers of unemployed youth also causes concern as many of them embrace illegal or survival occupations that give rise to criminality, insecurity and political activism. Others choose to go to exile, which turns out to be humiliating or fatal for many. The migration of the youth from West Africa to Europe through illegal and dangerous routs as recently reported in television footage, radio and print media reflects their frustration and negative feelings about the lack of job opportunities in the sub-region. This study broadly seeks to critically review the macroeconomic framework including instruments and targets underpinning the development strategies, particularly PRS and to explore alternative options that would speed-up growth, employment generation and poverty reduction in the sub-region.