Jobberman Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has trained over 2.4 million young Nigerians and facilitated more than 600,000 job placements since 2020, advancing inclusive employment opportunities across the country.
The initiative forms part of the Young Africa Works strategy, implemented by The African Talent Company, the parent company of Jobberman. It focuses on connecting Nigeria’s youth, particularly those from underserved communities, with dignified and sustainable work.
By using a data-driven, community-based model and low-bandwidth digital solutions, the partnership has ensured that young people aged 18 to 35, especially in disadvantaged areas, have access to the tools and training they need to enter the labour market.
In its latest effort to promote inclusive employment, Jobberman recently convened the Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts Roundtable in Abuja. The event brought together policymakers, civil society groups, tech platforms, and private sector leaders to tackle the structural and digital barriers preventing marginalised groups from finding work.
These groups include women in disadvantaged communities, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons.
“Technology can and must be a force for inclusion, not division,” said the Chief Executive Officer of The African Talent Company, Hilda Kabushenga. “As the world of work evolves, we must ensure that no one is left behind. These conversations are about equity, access, and opportunity.”
During the roundtable, Jobberman launched a new report titled ‘Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts.
The report revealed that 72 per cent of employers in Nigeria make no effort toward inclusive hiring, despite the rising potential of digital tools to bridge employment gaps. However, it also highlighted positive trends: 55 per cent of PWDs and 44 per cent of displaced women surveyed had secured some form of work, largely through self-employment in creative media and agriculture sectors.
“Inclusion is not a side conversation; it is the main agenda,” said Country Director, Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn. “We must design systems where marginalised groups are not just considered but centred.”
The roundtable’s policy briefs and programme recommendations will feed into the Young Africa Works learning agenda, guiding future employer training, platform development, and inclusive employment strategies.
Building on five years of partnership in Nigeria, Jobberman and the Mastercard Foundation are extending the initiative across the continent.
Similar activities are already underway in BrighterMonday Kenya and BrighterMonday Uganda, both part of The African Talent Company. In Kampala, BrighterMonday Uganda recently held a Career Clinic themed ‘Skills for Today: Empowering Uganda’s Youth to Take Control of Their Future.’
The event brought together government and private sector leaders to provide CV reviews, coaching, and digital skills training for young job seekers.
“This expansion reflects our belief that every young African, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to earn a dignified livelihood,” said Kabushenga. “The partnership in Nigeria has laid a strong foundation, but the real work has just begun.”
Head of Global Marketplaces and Member of the Ringier Group Executive Board, Axel Konjack, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce. That presents both an incredible opportunity and a responsibility. If we want to build a truly inclusive global economy, we must invest in equipping young Africans with the skills, tools, and access they need to thrive.”
