Trade unions across Africa have been urged to move beyond complaints and actively engage governments in finding practical solutions to the deepening hardship facing workers on the continent. The call was made by Akhator Odigie, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation Africa, at the Commission 2026 New Year School in Lomé, Togo.
Odigie said the current realities demand urgent, solution driven engagement rather than endless lamentation. He noted that African workers are grappling with rising unemployment, economic instability and policy decisions taken far from the continent that can wipe out jobs overnight.
He reminded participants that ITUC Africa was created to find solutions, not just to complain. Describing the global situation as a serious storm, he warned that sudden decisions by powerful nations can cripple fragile economies and destroy livelihoods in Africa.
According to him, gains secured by trade unions over the years are now under serious threat. He stressed the need for labour leaders to organise, mobilise and engage governments more strategically to defend workers’ rights and living standards.
Odigie highlighted the human cost of the crisis, pointing out that many African youths are losing hope amid shrinking job opportunities and worsening living conditions. He said peace, security and deliberate, people centred economic policies are essential for meaningful development.
On climate change, he condemned what he called an unfair global system where Africa contributes little to emissions but suffers some of the worst impacts. He cited increasing floods, displacement and loss of livelihoods as evidence that those who pollute are resisting responsibility for the damage.
He urged African governments and stakeholders to take ownership of the continent’s future and insisted that African solutions must be found for African problems.
ITUC Africa President Martha Molema also called for a rethink of Africa’s economic model. She said decades of reliance on raw material exports have failed to deliver jobs and sustainable growth.
Molema argued that trade liberalisation alone does not guarantee development. She identified the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major opportunity to transform economies, but said its success should be measured by decent job creation and better living conditions for workers, not just trade volumes.
She insisted that trade unions must not be sidelined in policy making, especially on trade and industrialisation, because such decisions directly affect jobs and livelihoods. She said social dialogue must be built into the system, not treated as an afterthought.
On energy and climate transition, Molema warned that without affordable energy, Africa cannot achieve industrial growth or create decent jobs. She said the link between energy, industry, employment and social stability is critical.
Both Odigie and Molema agreed that Africa’s challenges, from unemployment and insecurity to climate change and weak industrial capacity, are interconnected and require coordinated, people centred responses. They urged trade unions to lead the push for policies that put workers first.
Odigie concluded by warning that passivity will change nothing. He said only organised action, mobilisation and sustained engagement with governments can reverse current negative trends and give workers hope.
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