Youth entrepreneurship promotion and private sector roundtable at the heart of the “Africa Talks Jobs“ conference The conference was organised by the African Union Commission (AUC), the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (NEPAD) and the continental umbrella organisation for the private sector – Business Africa ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 6, 2018/APO Group/ -- Due to Africa’s growing population, every year a high number of young jobseekers enter a labour market which cannot provide a workplace for all. To create jobs for youth and foster a prosperous Africa, skills development and youth entrepreneurship are key. In order to address youth unemployment, more than 160 representatives of youth, business, investment, education, policy-making and civil society from all African regions as well as European partners convened at the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa from 30 to 31 October 2018. The participants discussed how to provide Africa’s next generation with relevant skills that increase businesses’ productivity – including ways to engage the private sector in skills development – and how to promote entrepreneurship and youth-led start-ups. The AU Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, emphasised that “strategic partnerships and collaboration with the private sector is the key to optimally harness the youth demographic, create employment and promote youth entrepreneurship”. The stakeholders outlined the following key policy recommendations to promote skills development and entrepreneurship: The recommendations were handed over to H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, who thanked all participants “for marking our one-year Africa Talks Jobs anniversary with concrete steps on how to translate talk into action”. To follow up on the policy recommendations, the African Union will continue exchanging good practices and driving action as part of the “Africa Creates Jobs” platform. The conference was organised by the AUC, the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (NEPAD) and the continental umbrella organisation for the private sector – Business Africa. It was supported by the European Union (EU) as well as the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Pan African University Programme (PAU), the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) and the Continental Africa Agriculture Programme (CAADP). Anja Pauls, BMZ Country Desk Officer for the cooperation with pan-African institutions, welcomed the lively discussions, the joint learning process and the invaluable dedication by the private sector. “The BMZ is delighted to be able to support the African Union in promoting its convening power through the Africa Talks Jobs conference and is looking forward to continuing its friendship as well as partnership with the AUC, Business Africa and NEPAD.” The “Africa Talks Jobs” conference is followed by the Africa Youth Day on 1 November. On this day, the AU is launching a month-long celebration including workshops, panel discussions and policy roundtables around the theme of “Raising Youth Voices Against Corruption in Africa”. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Talks Jobs.For more Information: Africa Talks Jobs  info@africatalksjobs.africa Facebook: Link: https://www.facebook.com/africatalksjobs/ Username: AfricaTalksJobs Twitter: Link: https://twitter.com/AfricaTalksJobs Username: @AfricaTalksJobs About Africa Talks Jobs: “Africa Talks Jobs” (www.AfricaTalksJobs.africa) is a continental multi-stakeholder platform on education and skills development for employment and entrepreneurship organised by the AUC, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, NEPAD and Business Africa with the support of German Development Cooperation (implemented by GIZ). “Africa Talks Jobs” was launched with a conference at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa from 30 October to 01 November 2017 and a follow-up conference was held at the same venue from 30 to 31 October 2018. “Africa Talks Jobs” shall be further established as a platform for continental dialogue. In 2019, the platform will be taken to the next level – “Africa Talks Jobs” will transform into “Africa Creates Jobs”.