MWE Correspondent
A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that over 160 million children across the globe are still engaged in child labour, with Africa accounting for more than half of this troubling figure.
The report, released in June 2025, paints a bleak picture: children as young as five are working long hours in hazardous conditions. From subsistence farming and artisanal mining to domestic servitude and fishing, these children are often excluded from the formal education system and face lifelong barriers to opportunity.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty, weak enforcement of labour laws, and limited access to quality schooling have created an environment where child labour is not only widespread, but in some areas, increasing. Many families, struggling with inflation and job scarcity, are left with no choice but to rely on their children’s income for survival.
“We are not just talking about missed school days,” said one UNICEF regional officer based in Nairobi. “We are talking about lost childhoods, stunted futures, and a cycle of poverty that deepens with every generation.”
Globally, the sectors most affected include agriculture (61% of child labourers), followed by the service industry (27%) and manufacturing or industry (12%). The United Nations warns that unless serious policy changes are made, the goal of eliminating child labour by 2025, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, will remain out of reach.
The consequences extend beyond the child. Entire communities suffer when the next generation is denied education and development. Economists have also warned that child labour undermines the creation of a skilled workforce, affecting national productivity and growth.
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Organizations like the ILO and UNICEF are calling for increased investment in free quality education, stronger enforcement of minimum age laws, and targeted social protection programs for families at risk. Programs such as cash transfer schemes have shown promise in keeping children in school and out of work.
A Wake-Up Call
This is more than a statistic—it’s a global emergency. It is a call to action for world leaders, educators, and citizens alike to stand up for the rights of children. Every child who picks up a tool instead of a textbook loses a piece of their future.
The report urges coordinated international efforts, including development assistance, awareness campaigns, and corporate accountability to prevent exploitative labour practices in supply chains—particularly in industries like cocoa, textiles, and mining.
Until the root causes—poverty, conflict, and lack of educational access—are addressed holistically, the cycle of child labour will remain unbroken.
