The Standard Chartered Foundation and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited (UNICEF GenU) have announced a new partnership aimed at securing 1,500 decent job opportunities for young women in Kenya and Nigeria.
This three-year initiative will focus on empowering women aged 18-24 from underprivileged backgrounds. The partnership aligns with UNICEF GenU’s expanding ecosystem of global and local partners and employs a public-private approach that has already made significant progress in skills training for young people.
Building on this success, the partnership will select participants from those who have benefited from UNICEF GenU’s skills training programs, emphasizing support to help young women secure sustainable livelihoods.
In Kenya and Nigeria, UNICEF will collaborate closely with local job placement experts to connect young women with employment opportunities in the private sector. The organization will also facilitate partnerships with local government initiatives to develop job pathways that align with regional needs.
Ayodeji Adelagun, Acting CEO of Standard Chartered Nigeria, stated, “This collaboration highlights our strategic commitment to creating economic opportunities for young people through tangible employment initiatives.
“By integrating UNICEF’s extensive skilling ecosystem with our employability goals centered on work readiness and vocational training, we are establishing a sustainable empowerment framework that connects talent development with actual job placement.
“By creating dignified work opportunities, we are strengthening local economies, demonstrating the role of the private sector in national development, and promoting sustainable, inclusive growth.”
Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, remarked, “Young women in Nigeria possess the skills and determination; what they need are genuine opportunities. When connected to quality jobs, they don’t just transform their own lives but also uplift families and empower communities. Unlocking their potential is crucial for Nigeria’s progress, and this partnership makes that vision achievable.”
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