Published: October 9, 2026
MONROVIA — QNET Regional General Manager for Central and West Africa Cherif Sarr has called for a fundamental shift in how African governments, businesses and development institutions address unemployment, urging greater investment in entrepreneurship, digital skills and sustainable economic opportunities beyond traditional salaried employment.
In an article examining West Africa’s economic future, Sarr argued that the region’s growing youth population requires more diverse and responsible pathways to economic independence, particularly as formal employment opportunities remain insufficient to accommodate millions of young people entering the labor market annually.
Citing a July 2024 World Bank report, Sarr disclosed that approximately 6 million young people enter the labor force each year across Western and Central Africa, while only about 500,000 new jobs are created.
He maintained that addressing the employment gap requires governments and private institutions to move beyond conventional job creation and support small businesses, agriculture, vocational training, independent professionals, digital entrepreneurship and other legitimate income-generating activities.
According to Sarr, entrepreneurship should not be limited to establishing large companies or attracting major investments but should also include small-scale businesses capable of providing sustainable livelihoods.
He emphasized that access to finance alone cannot guarantee business success, stressing the importance of financial literacy, customer management, digital competence, communication and responsible business practices.
Sarr also warned against fraudulent business schemes and exaggerated income promises, insisting that legitimate entrepreneurship must be transparent about financial risks, operational costs and potential earnings.
“No legitimate form of entrepreneurship guarantees success,” he stated, emphasizing that income depends on several factors, including individual effort, market demand, competition and business experience.
The QNET regional executive further highlighted the economic challenges confronting women, particularly limited access to financing, technology, business networks and professional training.
He cited International Labour Organization data showing that only 22.5% of Senegalese women between ages 15 and 29 were employed in 2022, underscoring the need for more inclusive economic opportunities.
On digital transformation, Sarr noted that mobile technology, electronic payments and artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for small businesses to reach customers and improve operations.
He referenced figures from the Central Bank of West African States showing that electronic money merchant acceptance points across the West African Economic and Monetary Union increased from approximately 1.75 million in 2023 to 3.71 million in 2024.
However, he cautioned that access to technology must be accompanied by practical training to enable entrepreneurs to use digital platforms effectively.
Highlighting QNET’s contribution, Sarr said the company’s FinGreen initiative promotes financial literacy through education and training, particularly among young adults and underserved communities.
He maintained that businesses must prioritize ethical practices, consumer protection and transparent information while ensuring that entrepreneurship programs do not create unrealistic expectations about income.
Sarr called for stronger collaboration among governments, educational institutions, financial organizations, private businesses and civil society to establish an environment that supports legitimate economic participation.
He stressed that West Africa’s challenge is not a lack of ambition but the limited opportunities available to transform that ambition into productive and sustainable livelihoods.
“A resilient economy is one in which people have several legitimate opportunities, the skills to make them productive and the knowledge to choose among them,” Sarr concluded.
Cherif Sarr serves as QNET’s regional general manager for Central and West Africa, overseeing the international direct-selling company’s regional operations, social commerce development and initiatives supporting responsible microentrepreneurship.
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