Africa’s youth are working more than ever, but earning less than they should. At the same time, the world is running out of young workers, while Africa is adding millions every year.

This contradiction sits at the heart of a new report by World Data Lab, released on February 10, and it framed a wide-ranging conversation with the organisation’s CEO, Dr Wolfgang Fengler, during his visit to Kenya.

In this interview with the Star, Fengler explains why data is no longer an abstract concept, how it already shapes daily life and why Kenya’s biggest opportunity lies in services, skills and entrepreneurship.

He speaks candidly about the risks of young people entering work too early, the slow shift away from agriculture, and the stubborn exclusion of young women from decent jobs.

He also outlines what policymakers, donors and development partners should do differently now, not later.

From the rise of tradable digital services to the promise and disruption of artificial intelligence, Fengler argues that Africa’s future workforce is not a burden but a global asset. Kenya, he says, is better placed than many countries, but time is not on its side.

The choices made today will determine whether the country’s youth dividend becomes a driver of growth or a source of deep frustration.

The Star: In simple terms, what does World Data Lab do?

Fengler: World Data Lab is a global data enterprise. We have about 50 people around the world, with strong bases in Europe, the United States and Africa. Our work rests on two main pillars. One is understanding consumer spending, especially in frontier markets, and helping companies position products in new markets. The second, and very important for Africa, is jobs. We focus strongly on employment, especially youth employment, working with impact partners like the Mastercard Foundation.

Why should an ordinary Kenyan care about your data?

Because data already shapes everyday life, even if people do not call it data. If you use Google Maps to see whether a trip takes 25 or 35 minutes, that is data. The same logic applies to bigger life questions: how much you might earn, what jobs exist or how the cost of living changes. In five or 10 years, checking data will feel as normal as using the Internet today.

Many Africans hear “data” and think it is abstract. How does your work translate into real-life outcomes like jobs or income?

Data helps people make better decisions. It can guide governments on where jobs are growing, help businesses decide where to invest, and help young people understand which skills matter. When data is relevant and easy to use, it stops being abstract and starts shaping real choices.

Why did World Data Lab decide to focus on youth employment in Africa?

Employment is one of Africa’s defining issues. Africa is the only region where the youth population is growing rapidly. While the rest of the world is losing young workers, Africa is gaining them. That creates both a huge opportunity and a big risk. We do not collect data ourselves; we work with governments, statistical agencies and partners to combine data, make sense of it and make it useful.

You recently released the Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026. What makes this report different from others?

It brings many data sources together into one consistent model. It looks forward, not just backward. It shows projections: What Africa or Kenya could look like in five or 10 years. And it focuses very clearly on young people aged 15 to 35, because that is where the pressure and the opportunity are greatest.

What does the report say about the future of Africa’s youth population?

Africa will add about 132 million young people to its workforce in this decade. At the same time, the rest of the world will lose around 50 million young workers. That creates a global gap. Talent will be needed, and much of that talent can come from Africa if the skills are right.

Is Kenya ready to benefit from this growing youth population?

Kenya is better placed than many African countries. It has a higher share of young people in services, more urban growth and relatively stronger education outcomes. But it could still do much better, especially in creating decent, productive jobs.

What is the biggest risk Kenya faces if youth employment challenges are not addressed now?

The biggest risk is wasted potential. Too many young people end up in low-quality, low-income work instead of building skills. That creates frustration and slows economic growth.

Your report shows that many young people work before finishing school. How common is this?

Across Africa, about 55 per cent of young people aged 15 to 35 are working. That is actually higher than in many other regions. The problem is that many start working too early because families are too poor to afford keeping them in school.

Why is early entry into informal work a long-term problem?

Because it often locks young people into working poverty. If you enter low-skilled informal work very early, you miss out on education that could raise your productivity and income later. In many cases, it would be better to stay in school if families and systems can support that.

How can Kenya keep young people in school while recognising economic pressures at home?

That requires targeted support — scholarships, stipends and social protection — so families do not have to choose between survival today and opportunity tomorrow.

The report predicts a shift from agriculture to services. What does this mean for Kenya?

It is a natural and necessary transition. No rich country has most of its workforce in agriculture. Kenya is projected to reach a tipping point around 2029, when more young people will work in services than in agriculture.

Which service-sector jobs offer the most opportunity?

Digital services, creative industries, construction, tourism, retail and wholesale. Some of these jobs are highly formal, others informal, but productivity and income potential vary widely within services.

Does this shift mean agriculture is becoming less important?

No. Agriculture can be very productive with fewer workers. The future is in value addition: food processing, logistics and related services. That is how incomes rise.

How is urbanisation changing youth employment patterns in Kenya?

Cities offer more opportunities to earn, learn and move into services. Urban jobs tend to be more productive, but cities must grow fast enough to absorb new workers.

Are Kenyan cities and urban areas creating jobs quickly enough?

They are doing better than many places, but not fast enough to relax. Urban job creation has to keep pace with population growth.

Why are young women still more excluded from decent jobs?

Young women are not less active, but they are more likely to be in working poverty. They have lower access to decent-paying jobs and face social and economic barriers.

What data-driven solutions can help young women?

Better targeting of education, skills programmes, childcare support and safe transport. Data helps identify where exclusion is greatest and what interventions work.

What three actions should policymakers prioritise based on this report?

First, support entrepreneurship with minimal bureaucracy. Second, invest in infrastructure to enable manufacturing and services. Third, focus relentlessly on skills, including critical thinking.

How can donors and development partners use this data to create real jobs?

By targeting sectors with the highest employment potential and supporting young entrepreneurs, not just programmes.

Looking to 2030, what worries you most about Kenya’s youth labour market?

Delay. The longer reforms take, the harder the adjustment becomes.

Finally, what message should young Kenyans take from this report?

Be critical, but also be hopeful. Things are improving, even if slowly. The global economy needs talent. With the right skills and mindset, young Kenyans can compete far beyond their borders.