Addis Ababa, 12 August 2026 (ECA) - This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, is especially relevant to Africa. From rapidly expanding cities and emerging digital economies to rural communities and countries affected by conflict, young Africans live in vastly different circumstances. Yet they share fundamental aspirations: relevant skills, decent and stable work, economic security and a meaningful voice in shaping Africa’s future. On 6–7 August, the Economic Commission for Africa conducted four focus-group discussions with 32 young people at the ENG Ethiopia Hub in Addis Ababa. This followed similar earlier discussions with young people in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, reaching over 60 youth. Participants included employed and unemployed youth, recent graduates transitioning from education to work, and young people outside the labor market. Their perspectives were candid and compelling. They described a widening mismatch between education and labor-market needs, insuffi...