World Bank approves $50m for Burkina Faso to fight poverty

 The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a credit of $50 million to help Burkina Faso fight poverty and increase social stability by giving unemployed young people opportunities for temporary work and skills training.

According to a press release issued on May 23, 2013, Burkina Faso’s Youth Employment and Skills Development project will directly benefit over 46,000 young people, some of whom live in the two main cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, where the unemployment rate is currently very high at 20 percent, as well as in other regional capitals.

“In training young people, this project directly addresses Burkina Faso’s severe skills shortage, which is holding back economic progress at the moment. “Building skills in the labor force is a prerequisite for the country to be able to diversify its economy, reduce dependence on just one or two sectors, and ultimately achieve the kind of strong and steady economic growth that will benefit all citizens and boost widespread prosperity”, said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso.

The release noted that, the project which is financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), will focus on youth who have little or no education and are currently out of work. The various activities covered under the project include public works jobs such as building roads, apprenticeships in both rural and urban trades, construction of vocational training centers, and training and support for young entrepreneurs.

Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, World Bank Task Team Leader for the project said, “Bringing work opportunities and skills training to the young people of Burkina Faso is very much in line with the government’s strategy for accelerated growth and sustainable development. Through this project, thousands of aspiring young men and women from vulnerable families will be able to find a way out of poverty.”

By Dorcas Appiah