How Jobs Are Countering Violent Extremism in West Africa

In West Africa, youth are turning to radical groups as a way to gain social and economic security. Discover how TechnoServe programs are changing this dynamic by offering a pathway to prosperity through sustainable jobs.

In the rural communities of northern Nigeria and Benin, a troubling pattern has emerged. Young people, many under 30, face the stark reality of limited economic opportunities and widespread unemployment. As a result, many young people are enticed by the growing influence of extremist groups, which claim to offer an alternative pathway to prosperity and social realization. 

Organizations like TechnoServe are working to change this narrative of limited economic opportunity in West Africa. They are countering violent extremism (CVE), not through direct confrontation, but by addressing its root causes through sustainable economic development and prevention tactics.

Why West Africa’s Youth Are Vulnerable to Violent Extremism

In West Africa, a large youth population makes economic opportunities highly competitive for those starting a career.  Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has 230 million people, 70% of whom are under age 30. In neighboring Benin, half the population is under 18, making it one of the youngest countries in the world. The scale at which young people enter the workforce every year presents an enormous challenge, as the opportunities are not growing as fast as the population. With youth unemployment at 33% in Nigeria, and 200,000 people entering Benin’s job market annually, the pressure on job-seekers is immense. 

In Benin, there is an additional layer of complexity for young women regarding gender inequality. One third of young women are unemployed, and those who have a job make 50% less money than their male counterparts.  The inequity creates perfect conditions for young women to be radicalized, as these groups often offer more opportunities for them.

Where Violent Extremism Thrives in West Africa

The challenges are exacerbated in rural northern regions of both countries. These areas are characterized by farming communities, limited infrastructure, and limited economic development compared to the rest of the country. Without public investment, these marginalized populations become especially vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups.

Why Young People Join Extremist Groups: Root Causes

Both women and men are at risk of radicalization, driven by economic, political, and ideological factors. The economic driver often stems from desperation. “For those who are in deep poverty and very vulnerable, if they had economic opportunities, if they had good jobs, if they had income coming in regularly, the alternative for them would be different,” explained Adesuwa Akinboro, TechnoServe’s Nigeria country director. “They would be less at risk of being recruited or enrolled into these groups.”

For many, the radical groups are people’s best option for putting food on the table, becoming their only source of security or economy.  

“Sometimes when the attacks keep increasing, the government retreats and leaves those areas when they can’t provide security anymore,” explained Mouna Mbacke, TechnoServe’s Benin country director. “People would tend to join the extremist group because the terrorists would provide security. Eventually, they will become the sole buyer and the sole market.”

TechnoServe’s CVE Strategy: Creating Economic Alternatives

Rather than implementing programs explicitly labeled as counter-extremism initiatives, TechnoServe’s CVE strategy focuses on prevention tactics, addressing the underlying conditions that make young people vulnerable to recruitment.

In Benin, TechnoServe runs BeniBiz, one of the largest entrepreneurship programs in the country. A specific component targets youth in the north—those who have dropped out of school or recently graduated from vocational training. “We provide entrepreneurship training and sometimes seed funding to help them start a business,” Mouna explained. These small-scale economic opportunity initiatives can provide a sustainable income. Young people who begin their businesses with very little can soon bring in an average of $200 per month, with potential for more growth. 

Clients Create Their Own Prosperity

For Djoule Bonna, a 28-year-old hairdresser in northern Benin, the program has given her the financial management skills to start her own salon. Once an apprentice with few options for employment, she now hopes to train more than 10 of her own apprentices to start their own shops. Her income has also given her a sense of contribution to her community. “Since I attended the training, it has changed my life a lot,” Djoule explained. “Before, I wasn’t considered, but now I am—both personally and professionally. Before, when my dad or brothers and sisters had a problem, they didn’t call me. But now, they call me, and I try to find a solution for them.” Like Djoule, many young people feel that their business gives them a voice, preventing them from seeking social standing within a radical group.

In Nigeria, TechnoServe takes a comprehensive approach that targets both on-farm and off-farm opportunities. “We support farmers to increase their productivity, their yield, providing them with technical assistance and training, and then we link them to small businesses that can buy the crops from them,” Adesuwa shared.

In an area where there are high levels of gender inequality, TechnoServe also works to empower women farmers who are often marginalized in their homes and farms. Farmers like Rahma Umar have gained confidence, leadership skills, and technical expertise in farming to start their own farms and contribute to their family’s welfare. Rahma explained that “working together as a group has united us for a common goal and improved our confidence and self-reliance.” 

TechnoServe also focuses on job creation through value chain development. They work with large companies to strengthen their supply chains and create employment opportunities at multiple levels—from collectors to aggregators to processors.

Making Countering Violent Extremism Sustainable

It is critical to ensure that these solutions aren’t temporary fixes but genuine, lasting opportunities. TechnoServe’s evaluations show that 70% of entrepreneurs continue to see meaningful financial increases years after program completion. These post-project evaluations are an important step to ensuring economic resilience in communities most vulnerable to extremist recruitment. 

What’s Next in Countering Violent Extremism in Africa

By providing young people with dignified work and sustainable incomes, TechnoServe offers an alternative narrative to the one extremist groups promote.

The challenge is enormous, but so is the potential impact. With continued support and innovative programming focused on countering violent extremism, economic development can serve as a powerful force for peace, offering young people across West Africa the chance to build their futures rather than destroy them.

Learn more about this topic:

Rising Extremism in Africa Requires New Approach

From Struggle to Strength: Young Entrepreneurs Build Pathways to Peace in Kenya