ILO forum promotes inclusive labour markets in Africa
African governments and the ILO agreed on new policy pathways to expand decent work for refugees and host communities.
Governments, employers and workers’ organisations from five African countries have agreed on policy priorities to improve access to decent work for refugees and host communities, with digital transformation and labour-market integration identified as key elements of future employment strategies.
The priorities emerged from the International Labour Organization (ILO) PROSPECTS Africa Forum on Decent Work and Forced Displacement, held in Nairobi from 21 to 23 July 2026.
Participants discussed employment policy, skills development, social protection, digital transformation and regional cooperation as part of efforts to improve economic inclusion for displaced populations.
Participants stressed that refugees and host communities share the same labour markets and should therefore be included in national employment, enterprise, labour inspection, skills, and social protection systems rather than in separate parallel structures.
The forum also highlighted the need to better align training programmes with employer demand, apprenticeships, work-based learning, employment services and recognition of prior learning.
Social protection and labour safeguards were identified as essential to helping displaced people access formal employment, establish businesses and manage economic risks.
Digital technologies, AI and platform work were identified as potential pathways to employment and wider market access.
However, participants emphasised that greater connectivity and digital skills must be accompanied by appropriate regulation, common standards and stronger worker protections. The recommendations will inform the second phase of the PROSPECTS programme, which runs until 2027.
Why does it matter?
The forum reflects a growing shift from treating forced displacement primarily as a humanitarian challenge to addressing it as a labour-market and development issue. Integrating refugees into national employment, training and social protection systems can improve economic resilience while benefiting both displaced people and host communities.
The discussions also highlight that digital transformation is becoming an important component of labour-market inclusion. As governments increasingly promote digital employment opportunities, policymakers are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that access to technology is matched by skills development, regulatory safeguards and decent working conditions.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!