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Better quality of economic growth needed to meet East Africa’s job demands: UN study

Better quality of economic growth needed to meet East Africa’s job demands: UN study

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Although East Africa has been experiencing impressive economic growth for nearly a decade, it has not enabled the creation of enough decent jobs for the region’s rapidly growing population.

That’s according to a new study by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which estimates that more than eight million new jobs are needed annually to meet the demand.

The study has been presented to government officials and experts meeting this week in Asmara, Eritrea, which is where Priscilla Lecomte caught up with Kato Kimbugwe, a trade specialist with UNECA.

He began by explaining how some East African countries have already established special economic zones aimed at attracting investors, meeting the jobs challenge and tackling poverty.

Audio Credit
Priscilla Lecomte/UN News
Audio Duration
5'31"
Photo Credit
ECA