As Liberia joins the global community in commemorating International Youth Day 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released new data highlighting the pivotal role young people are playing in advancing the country’s development agenda.
Under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and beyond,” the UNDP Liberia 2025 Progress Report reveals that youth are not just participating; they are actively shaping Liberia’s future through leadership in climate action, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and civic engagement.
With over 60% of Liberia’s population under the age of 25, the report emphasizes that this demographic is now “a driving force behind grassroots transformation,” accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key Numbers from the UNDP 2025 Progress Report:
2,000+ youth trained in vocational, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness skills (2021–2025)
$7 million invested in youth livelihood and employment initiatives
110 youth-led businesses supported through the UNDP Growth Accelerator, each receiving up to $40,000 in grants and technical assistance
900+ youth engaged in business start-up competitions across 7 counties
100+ youth involved in climate resilience projects in 10 cities
50% of supported enterprises led by young women and girls
Youth-focused programs implemented across all 15 counties, with hubs in Monrovia, Buchanan, Zwedru, Greenville, Robertsport, and Voinjama
Climate Action at the Grassroots
According to the report, more than 100 youth have been mobilized through the Ecobrigade initiative and other climate programs under the Livelihood & Employment Creation and Energy & Environment portfolios.
Their actions include:
Reforestation in Grand Bassa and Nimba
Plastic recycling in Monrovia and Buchanan
Coastal protection in Greenville and Robertsport
Sustainability education through local campaigns
“These initiatives are evidence that climate resilience starts with empowered communities,” states the UNDP.
Building Skills, Reducing Unemployment
The Skills for Life and Livelihoods component of the program, per the report, has equipped over 2,000 youth with training in:
Agriculture
Renewable energy
Digital literacy
Financial management
Entrepreneurship
UNDP notes these interventions are crucial in tackling Liberia’s youth unemployment rate, which hovers near 70% among job seekers under 30.
Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Growth
The Growth Accelerator Liberia initiative, detailed in the report, has disbursed over $4 million to 110 youth-led MSMEs. Key sectors include:
Agribusiness
Waste management
Fashion and textiles
Health and wellness
ICT
“Nearly half of the enterprises are led by women, signaling a significant rise in female entrepreneurship,” the report highlights.
Technology and AI Literacy
In a bold move toward digital inclusion, UNDP, in partnership with the University of Liberia, has launched AI literacy workshops and youth innovation labs.
These programs introduce participants to:
Responsible AI use
Data-driven advocacy
Mobile app development
Civic tech for democratic engagement
According to the report, hundreds of students have participated, giving Liberia’s youth a competitive edge in the digital economy.
Youth in Governance and Peacebuilding
Through leadership academies and civic education platforms, thousands of youth are now contributing to:
Peaceful election monitoring
Human rights advocacy
Community dialogues for accountability
“Youth are emerging as watchdogs of democracy,” the report states, “actively shaping inclusive governance from the ground up.”
The YouthConnekt Movement
UNDP’s report reaffirms its continued support to YouthConnekt Liberia (YCL)—a continental initiative launched in 2016. Strategic investments have included:
Funding the YCL Secretariat
Equipping Innovation Labs
Sponsoring youth participation in continental summits
Organizing regional boot camps and leadership forums
Thousands of youth have been connected to mentorship, training, and opportunities through the YCL framework.
A Call for Continued Investment
The report concludes with a call to action for government, civil society, and private sector actors:
“When youth lead, nations rise. Liberia’s progress toward the SDGs depends on sustained support for young people who are already delivering results.”
As Liberia celebrates International Youth Day, the latest figures from UNDP affirm a compelling truth: youth are not waiting for the future, they are building it now.
