On February 18, 2025, Jacob’s Ladder Africa (JLA) convened a high-level breakfast meeting to explore collaboration for the inaugural Green Careers Caravan (GCC). This partnership between JLA, the State Department for Higher Education and Research, and Kenya’s Council of Vice-Chancellors aims to connect university students to the green economy, bridging the gap between education and sustainable job markets.
The event welcomed key figures, including Prof. Daniel Mugendi, Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu, alongside JLA CEO Sellah Bogonko. Vice-Chancellors from Taita Taveta, Kisii, and Kenyatta Universities, and the Director of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology attended, joined by representatives from GIZ Kenya, AfDB, UNESCO, WFP, Deloitte, Uber, KEPSA, KEREA, and the World Bank, among others.
The GCC tackles a pressing need. Africa’s green economy could generate 3.3 million jobs by 2030, with Kenya poised to create 40,000-240,000, especially in solar (111,000 jobs), per FSD Africa’s 2024 Report. Yet, with over one million youth entering Kenya’s job market annually—facing a 67% unemployment rate (FKE)—and 83.4% lacking digital skills (UNDP 2023), the skills mismatch is stark. Meanwhile, the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report (2022) warns of a $160-340 billion annual adaptation funding gap for Africa by 2030, underscoring the urgency of youth equipped to drive climate solutions.
The 12-month pilot targets 15 of Kenya’s 45 public universities, including Murang’a, Karatina, Embu, Machakos, Eldoret, Egerton, Maseno, Kisii, JOOUST, Masinde Muliro, Alupe, Mama Ngina, Kenyatta, Taita Taveta, and Turkana. It launches with two-day events featuring career fairs, job placements, tree planting, debates, concerts, and podcasts—designed to raise awareness, build green skills, and foster industry ties. With 60% of green jobs requiring advanced training by 2030 (FSD Africa), the GCC aligns education with market demands.
Beyond Kenya, the stakes are continental. The ILO projects 24 million global green jobs by 2030, with Africa’s share in solar and climate-smart agriculture (up to 377,000 jobs). Yet, the World Bank cautions that climate change could push 132 million Africans into poverty without action—making youth initiatives like GCC vital. It supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the 2023 Nairobi Declaration, targeting 1.2 million annual jobs through green growth.
Strategic partners committed to meaningful change, this is your moment. “We’re building change-makers to shape Africa’s destiny,” said Sellah Bogonko. It’s time to co-create a resilient, innovative future for Kenya and Africa and drive both sustainable development and an era of unprecedented opportunities.
