The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $71.55 million grant to Ghana to finance a transformative programme designed to create jobs, build market-ready skills, and promote entrepreneurship among women and youth — particularly in the country’s northern regions.
Running from 2026 to 2029, the initiative is expected to train 28,000 people, generate 22,000 direct jobs and 6,189 indirect jobs, while targeting women aged 36 and above and youth aged 18 to 35.
Speaking on the programme, Ms. Eyerusalem Fasika, AfDB’s Country Manager in Ghana, said:
“This initiative will help turn Ghana’s demographic bulge into an economic dividend by equipping women and youth with market-relevant skills, access to finance, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, while also advancing peace and stability in the northern regions.”
The programme will modernize technical and vocational education centres and provide training in STEM, digital skills, creative industries, coding, and generative AI. Additionally, 5,000 women and youth will receive agrobusiness training in poultry, fisheries, beekeeping, and responsible mining, with cross-cutting modules on climate adaptation, peacebuilding, and financial literacy.
Entrepreneurial opportunities will also be supported through business-to-business linkages and a micro-credit financing facility for women and youth-owned MSMEs, opening avenues for small businesses to scale and participate in local value chains.
Delivered through a Results-Based Financing (RBF) model, the programme represents the first of its kind in Ghana, emphasizing accountability, measurable outcomes, and institutional strengthening. Selected district assembly members will also receive training in conflict prevention, gender-based violence prevention, and tackling early marriage, further supporting inclusive economic growth.
With Ghana’s Big Push plan for infrastructure and the 24-Hour Economy agenda as its backdrop, this initiative positions northern regions as new hubs for skills development, business growth, and youth-led economic innovation, offering a blueprint for leveraging development finance to stimulate long-term, inclusive business opportunities.
