Africa’s employment growth over the next half decade is expected to exceed the global average, according to the International Labor Organization. While the world’s average annual employment growth is projected to stay below the pre-financial crisis (2002-2007) rate of 1.8 percent in 2012–2016, Sub-Saharan Africa’s is projected to reach 3.0 percent and North Africa’s 2.3 percent. Both the Sub-Saharan Africa and North African employment growth rates are below their pre-financial crisis rates of 3.1 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively. However, improvements in the business climate in some countries and the drive for African markets by both the emerging and Western countries are expected to create employment opportunities on the continent.
