Global progress, local struggles: ILO presses for urgent action to end child labour in Africa

As the world marked the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO) renewed its call for urgent, collective action to eliminate child labour — particularly in sectors like agriculture and artisanal mining, where millions of African children continue to work under hazardous conditions.
Despite a global drop from 160 million child laborers in 2020 to 138 million in 2024, progress has stalled in sub-Saharan Africa. The region remains home to nearly two-thirds of the world’s child laborers, with 86.6 million children affected. Of particular concern is the rising number of children aged 5 to 11 engaged in dangerous work, including mica mining and cocoa farming. “The findings of the report offer hope and show that progress is possible but parents must themselves be supported and have access to decent work, said ILO’s Director-General Gilbert Houngbo. Progress towards ending child labour was possible, said the UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, and this could be achieved by “applying legal safeguards, expanded social protection, investment in free, quality education, and better access to decent work for adults
In Nigeria, the government reaffirmed its commitment as a Pathfinder Country, reviewing legislation and expanding rehabilitation programs. Yet, poverty and weak law enforcement remain persistent barriers. “In terms of prevalence rate, (child labor) has been reduced. So we’ve gone from 24% to 22% between 2020 and 2024,” said Nankali Maksud, regional advisor for child protection at UNICEF. “But what we’re challenged with in this region is the rapid population growth. So in absolute numbers, we haven’t made much progress.” UNICEF’s Russell echoed the call for stronger social protections and universal child benefits. Without systemic support, she warned, millions more children may be forced to trade classrooms for fields and mines — sacrificing their futures for survival.