S-DIA Advocacy, partners set to host Africa labour employment summit

The Sustainable Development in Africa Advocacy (S-DIA Advocacy), the National Labour Commission (NLC), and the Labour Department of Ghana will host the Africa Labour and Employment Summit (ALES 25) in June.

The maiden edition, to be held under the theme “The Future of Work and Labour Migration in Africa,” will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, trade unions, civil society, and development partners.

A statement issued by Mr. Kweku Kakah, Executive Director of S-DIA Advocacy, said the event aims to foster dialogue and action to reshape Africa’s labour and employment landscape.

“We are at a defining moment for the future of work in Africa. With youth unemployment on the rise, informal sector dominance, and a fast-growing digital economy, this summit aims to provide actionable solutions that prioritise inclusive, resilient, and future-ready employment systems,” he stated.

Mr. Kakah noted that with over 60 per cent of Africa’s population under 25 and more than 80 per cent of its workforce in the informal sector, the summit would address skills mismatches, weak labour protections, gender inequality, and social security gaps—while highlighting opportunities in green industries, digital platforms, and labour migration reforms.

“ALES 25 is not just a conference; it is a strategic platform for policy innovation, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and sustainable job creation. We’re focused on creating real pathways for young people, women, Persons with Disabilities, and vulnerable workers to access decent work, whether locally or across borders,” he added.

Mr. Kakah said the NLC’s involvement would strengthens the summit’s ability to drive labour policy reforms, enhance worker protections, and advance ethical migration under regional frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“We are grateful for the partnership of the NLC and the Labour Department of Ghana, whose expertise and leadership are instrumental in achieving the Summit’s goals.

“Africa’s development rests on the dignity, productivity, and wellbeing of its workers. The time for commitment is now, and ALES 25 is the ground where ideas must turn into action,” he said.

The statement outlined key components of ALES 25, including a high-level opening ceremony, plenary and panel discussions, breakout sessions, regional dialogue, a tradeshow, and a job fair for youth and emerging entrepreneurs. Expected outcomes include labour policy resolutions, legal reform commitments, youth employment programmes, informal sector formalisation frameworks, a sustainable employment roadmap, and enhanced tripartite collaboration and regional integration.