The 17th African OILGASMINE Conference and Exhibition will examine how the extractive industries can contribute to sustainable job creation, within the sector and in the broader economy.
Every year, more than 12 million young Africans join the continent's labour force. But only around 5 million of them will find jobs.
Creating more jobs continues to be a major challenge, and the continent's ability to put more of its labour force to work will, in part, determine how successful it will be at achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development--in particular goals 1 and 8, which aim to end poverty and promote full and productive employment and decent work for all.
The extractive oil, gas and mining industries play a key role in many African economies but create few employment opportunities. The continent is richly endowed with mineral reserves and hosts about 8 per cent of the world's oil and gas. These resources account for a significant share of export earnings in many African countries, yet the extractive industries employ only around 1 per cent of Africa's workforce.
UNCTAD research, however, shows that these industries can contribute to sustainable job creation, particularly by supporting other economic sectors, and this will be the main discussion at its 17th African OILGASMINE Conference and Exhibition, set to take place in Khartoum, Sudan, from 23 to 26 November 2015.
The conference will bring together governments, the private sector and civil society to redefine the extractive industries' role in job creation, both within the sector and in the broader economy. In addition, the conference will look at investment opportunities in Africa, and discuss how these investments could lead to more and better economic opportunities for local populations.
