YES Leader: Mr. Agbayizato Abdou Kdari (Elvis)
Email : elvis@yesweb.org

Vision : Empowerment of the youth and poverty reduction in the country through creation of employment opportunities and entrepreneurship development.

Background : Togo is among the poorest countries in the world, with a gross national income (GNI) per capita of US$360 in 2007. Expenditures on health, education and public investment are far below regional averages. An economic decline has reduced living standards for a large segment of the population. Togo's economy has been heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force.

About the Network : YES Togo Network was launched in August 2002 as a local response to the international challenge of youth employment. Today the netwo rk members are youth leaders from different organisations, and partner in private and institutional sectors. The network is now focusing on rural areas and green jobs to improve youth livelihoods for the future.

Current Major Initiatives:

• Research on woman entrepreneurship, to analyze the gaps and improve upon the existing status
• National youth consultation on the national Action plan for youth employment.
• Capacity building of youth for generating entrepreneurship, and promoting green employment opportunities.
• Scaling up activities of youth organizations that are already in a process of developing jobs
  1. Focus on producing electricity since 60% of the country is devoid of it
  2. Waste management
  3. Potential of recycling rubber, collecting waste from homes
  4. Eco-tourism
  5. Seeking innovative and green business proposals from the youth for providing mentorship and start up funds for starting their business

Key Accomplishments :

• Challenge Business- calling on local business community to enable young people with viable business-plans to have access to bank loans, to get training in business management and provide them with a mentor to help in the first critical years of the new enterprise.
• Challenge Forum: The third international forum on entrepreneurship and youth employment.