The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Sudan, in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has launched a new initiative aimed at creating jobs and boosting economic opportunities for women and young people.
The project, titled Job Creation through Youth and Women-led Micro and Small Enterprises (JMSE), is being implemented in partnership with South Sudan’s ministries of Finance & Planning and Trade & Industry. Funded by the AfDB, the initiative seeks to generate employment, enhance entrepreneurial skills through targeted training, and provide business development services for women and youth aged 18-35.
The JMSE project will also focus on strengthening the coordination of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to foster private sector development and economic sustainability. It will support the growth of MSEs across six agricultural value chains, aiming to build economic resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative will initially target Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal states, with investments in capacity-building within the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure long-term impact and institutional strengthening.
UNDP South Sudan emphasized that the project aligns with its broader commitment to empowering youth and women, strengthening local enterprises, and fostering resilient communities to drive sustainable economic growth in the country.
At the launch event in Juba on Wednesday, John Dabi, Deputy Commissioner of Refugees Affairs, called for discussions with the AfDB to establish a hybrid funding process. This, he said, would help strengthen donor confidence and attract additional support from institutions such as the World Bank.
Meanwhile, Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Director, highlighted the importance of peace, resilience, and inclusiveness in South Sudan, particularly in light of the ongoing pressures from the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
The JMSE project is seen as a critical step toward addressing unemployment and economic challenges in South Sudan, while also contributing to the country’s long-term development goals.