Employment effects of skills trainings in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of recent randomized controlled trials

This study provides a comprehensive systematic review of recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the employment effects of skills training programs in sub-Saharan Africa, a region where such interventions are a key element of development assistance. The review focuses on studies conducted between 2019 and 2024, a period marked by a significant increase in the number of RCTs in this area, aiming to fill the gap left by earlier reviews which did not reflect this surge in research activity. By employing the SPIDER tool for defining search terms and the PRISMA procedure for search and selection, we systematically analyze the impact of these training programs on employment outcomes. The findings reveal a shift towards more optimistic assessments compared to previous analyses, suggesting that recent skills training programs may indeed contribute to improving employment rates and job quality. This review not only sheds light on the potential of such interventions to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which aims for sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all but also highlights the necessity for ongoing research to explore the conditions under which these programs can be most effective, thereby supporting efforts to achieve economic development and reduce unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa.