YBI Biannual KPI Survey · January–June 2026
15,084 young people. Eight countries. One movement.
From Dakar to Monrovia, from Lomé to Nairobi — across six months, African YMCAs delivered entrepreneurship support that is changing lives, opening businesses, and securing jobs for young people aged 18–35.
Impact at a glance
The numbers behind the movement
Across 14 programmes in 8 countries, the Africa Alliance of YMCAs delivered measurable, documented economic outcomes for young people aged 18–35.
Gender breakdown — youth reached
8,367 female (55%) · 6,717 male (45%) · Jan–Jun 2026
Everything in this report is restricted to young people we’ve reached with entrepreneurship and employability programmes — the full continental movement reaches far wider.
Africa Alliance of YMCAs · KPI Survey Note, 2026
Geographic reach
From West to East, South to Sahel
Eight countries. Each with a distinct programme model and youth population — united by the YMCA mission to drive inclusive economic development.
Programme spotlight
14 programmes. One mission.
Each programme reflects a locally-designed model — from school-based mini-enterprises to anti-migration grants to vocational skills centres.
🇹🇬 Togo
Social Equity Programme (SEP)
Entrepreneurship training and incubation across 4 regions. Climate-linked ventures: EcoBrik Togo, Pavés Écologiques, AgroSmartConnect. Partners: JA Africa & Z Zurich Foundation.
🇸🇳 Senegal
Vocational Training and Integration Project (VTIP)
Largest programme by reach — 7,276 youth in Dakar, 81% female. 6,212 trained; 3,672 received grants or loans. Outcome tracking ongoing.
🇹🇬 Togo
CFER / JACE — Rural Entrepreneurship & Environmental Agents
Agri-cooperative strengthening and environmental training for 976 rural youth. 967 cooperatives strengthened. Funded by BMZ/CVJM and Alliance Africa.
🇹🇬 Togo
Company Programme — Mini-Enterprise (Schools)
Incubation for 738 secondary school students (56% female). 60 businesses started. Funded by Boeing and JA Africa.
🇰🇪 Kenya
YMCA National Training Institute — Vocational & Entrepreneurship
Training, mentorship, and startup kits for 693 youth. Graduates completed this period — economic outcomes tracked next survey.
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
Youth Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Phase II
Technical vocational training across 4 districts. 230 businesses strengthened — cosmetics, soap, food retail, and tailoring enterprises run by named entrepreneurs.
🇱🇷 Liberia
YMCA Polytechnic / Computer School
ICT and digital skills for 200 youth. 28 tech businesses started (Fast Type Cyber Center, Digital Solutions Hub) and 35 young people placed in employment.
🇳🇪 Niger
Youth Entrepreneurship — Anti-Migration Alternative
Business training and startup grants for 67 Nigeriens as an alternative to irregular migration. 29 businesses started, 9 strengthened, 11 jobs created.
🇱🇷 Liberia
COHREP2 — COVID-19 Humanitarian Response
Startup support for 60 youth in catering, AC repair, tailoring, and electrical services. Businesses created: Mama’s Kitchen, Precision Stitches, Cool Breeze AC Solutions.
Job creation
Beyond the business — employment generated
Supported businesses don’t just sustain their founders — each enterprise creates an average of 1.73 additional jobs for other young people.
Seasonal employees work an average of 2.2 weeks per year. Averages are knowledge-based estimates drawn from programme data across multiple countries and measurement approaches.
Sector distribution
Where are these businesses being built?
The 15,084 young people supported span agriculture, technology, creative industries, health, and more.
Inclusion data
Reaching those most often left behind
The Africa Alliance deliberately tracks and serves marginalised groups — a practice that remains rare in regional economic development reporting. These figures represent the depth of inclusive practice across the cohort.
Partner with the Africa Alliance of YMCAs
This report represents six months of work across eight countries. Behind every number is a young person with a business, a job, or a plan. If you are a funder, a donor, or a partner organisation, we want to hear from you.
Get in touch