Designing the African Development Bank’s Youth Marker

The first phase of the African Development Bank’s Youth Marker examined how jobs and skills objectives could be integrated into lending operations. Comparative research and internal consultation connected the marker’s design with project cycles, institutional responsibilities and the practical limits of employment reporting.

Context and purpose

The African Development Bank’s first Youth Marker phase examined how jobs and skills objectives could be integrated into lending decisions. Its purpose was to establish a workable design for sovereign and non-sovereign operations, including the reporting constraints of financial intermediaries.

The work

A comparative review of ten international and development finance institutions informed the design. Mapping of Bank processes and departmental consultations identified decision points, responsibilities and incentives. Work developed an initial ex-ante approach, a jobs-and-skills glossary and guidance on employment reporting.

Outputs and use

First-phase design and guidance inputs established the basis for later operationalisation of the marker. The glossary and reporting considerations helped clarify how employment objectives could be defined and assessed within Bank operations.