ABSTRACT
The chapter examines youth employment programs (YEPs) and related policies in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2020 by reviewing existing literature, conducting focus group discussions with youth aged 15–35, and interviewing key stakeholders, including international donors. The adequacy of YEPs is assessed in relation to Ethiopia’s youth employment landscape, highlighting the lack of a dedicated Youth Employment Policy and a lead implementing agency. This has led to fragmented interventions, weak coordination, and poor monitoring and evaluation. Since the adoption of the National Youth Policy (NYP) in 2004, frequent government restructuring has resulted in shifting responsibilities among overseeing ministries, causing duplication of efforts and gaps in follow-up. Many government-led YEPs were hastily implemented in response to political instability, limiting their long-term impact. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for rigorous impact evaluations, evidence-based interventions, and improved coordination to enhance employment outcomes for Ethiopian youth and address broader issues of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
