In Ghana today, too many young people are searching for jobs that simply don’t exist. As of late 2023, 1.3 million young Ghanaians between the ages of 15 and 35 were unemployed — more than the population of Sekondi-Takoradi.
And the outlook is even more difficult for young women, whose unemployment rate stands at 17.7%, nearly 7 percentage points higher than men.
At Ecobank, we see this not just as a statistic, but a call to action.
As a financial institution, we’re uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference. From enabling first job experiences to supporting digital skill-building and entrepreneurship, we’re focused on preparing Ghana’s youth for the future of work — and helping them step into it.
On campus, our support provides students with the skills that they need to thrive no matter what career they pursue. Ecobank has set up digital learning centers across four schools and donated 600 computers to the University of Ghana and KNUST.
In these digital learning environments, students are gaining hands-on experience with the industries of the future such as AI and robotics. Leveraging our expertise in financial education, Ecobank staff have led financial literacy training seminars at tertiary institutions across the country.
In the workplace, we provide hands-on experience to young professionals through internships and national service opportunities. Since 2022, over 800 interns and 200+ service personnel have gained practical skills in departments from tech to legal.
In 2024 alone, 326 students interned with us. And for tomorrow’s future banking leaders, the management trainee programme has exposed 38 young Ghanaians to coaching, training, and on-the-job learning across the bank through a rotational programme.
“Most companies talk about preparing youth for the future; Ecobank hands us the blueprint. Ecobank isn’t just a workplace—it’s a launchpad,” said Kirk, a management trainee in the 2021 cohort, “I have been given the tools, mentorship, and real-world challenges that transform potential into expertise. The bank’s commitment to nurturing young talent isn’t rhetoric; it’s a daily reality where ideas are heard, skills are sharpened, and careers are built.”
In the market, our agency banking model extends financial services into underserved areas — and creates jobs while doing so. Today, over 6,000 agents, many of them young people, earn a living through this network. We also recruit youth ambassadors to promote our digital banking tools, giving them a chance to earn income and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.
Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down. We’re exploring new partnerships with Fintechs to support youth entrepreneurs with seed funding and practical tools. We want to co-develop job-ready curricula with universities and technical institutions. And we’re committed to expanding access to digital training in even more communities.
Youth unemployment is a complex issue. But with every skill built, job created, and dream supported, we move a step closer to a solution. At Ecobank, we’re not just imagining a better future for Ghana’s youth — we’re helping build it.
