EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main objective of the special report is to analyze financial inclusion policies implemented in response to the impact and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth in Africa.

Through the general framework of the 5Es (employment, education, entrepreneurship, engagement and enabling environment), this publication will analyze the challenges of youth financial inclusion in Africa during COVID-19 and present examples of policy responses. Finally, it will provide policy recommendations for crisis mitigation and recovery to promote youth financial inclusion.

These insights and recommendations can be adapted and applied across other continents to promote not only peer learning throughout the AFI member network, but also crisis preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the future.

AFI’S YOUTH FINANCIAL INCLUSION POLICY 5Es’ FRAMEWORK

This report uses the 5Es’ framework, modeled after the 4Es’ framework of the African Union’s ‘1 Million by 2021’, initiative which aims to provide opportunities for African youth in the areas of employment, education, entrepreneurship and engagement as these are often considered to be drivers of youth financial inclusion together with the fifth component of ‘Enabling Environment’ (or regulatory environment) which is a key pillar in the AFI’s Youth Financial Inclusion Policy Framework.