Africa: Why Ending Child Marriage Is Key to Advancing Africa's Economic Development
AllAfrica
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ending child marriage is crucial for unlocking Africa's economic potential, as highlighted in a recent report by Zuzana Schwidrowski and Omolola Mary Lipede. The continent is home to 160 million adolescent girls, who represent its future workforce and innovation engine. However, the widespread practice of child marriage is severely limiting their opportunities, with nearly one-third of young women aged 15-24 classified as "not in education, employment, or training" (NEET). This issue not only violates human rights but also stifles economic growth by depriving girls of educational and professional prospects.
Child marriage disproportionately affects African girls, with four out of ten girls aged 15-19 either married, pregnant, or not working. Across the continent, 130 million women were married before turning 18, according to UNICEF data from 2025. While Central and West Africa bear the highest burden, even North Africa has significant rates of child marriage. This practice forces girls into unpaid care work or low-productivity informal jobs, hindering their ability to contribute fully to the economy.
The economic implications are severe. Child marriage truncates education and skills acquisition, reducing the supply of skilled workers for high-value sectors like manufacturing and digital services. This limits structural transformation and dampens productivity growth. Girls who marry early are also more likely to remain in low-wage, informal roles, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependency.
Addressing child marriage is not just a social or health issue—it’s an economic
Verticals
worldafrica
Originally published on AllAfrica on 2/20/2026