On 14 April 2026, Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore, representing the Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), participated as an officially accredited speaker in a high-level policy dialogue at the International Development Association (IDA) Forum during the World Bank Group–IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Listed among the official speakers, the session convened global development stakeholders to reflect on IDA’s role in supporting low-income countries and to deliberate on emerging priorities for inclusive and sustainable development.
Highlighting IDA’s Impact on Youth and Economic Transformation
In his address, Olaore acknowledged the significant impact IDA has made in advancing youth employment, digital innovation, and the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across developing economies. He emphasised that IDA’s investments continue to play a critical role in strengthening economic systems, expanding opportunities, and supporting vulnerable populations in low-income countries.
Emphasising Demand-Driven Skills and Workforce Readiness
A central focus of his intervention was the urgent need to prioritise demand-driven skills development, particularly in sectors shaping the future of work.He highlighted the importance of aligning education and training systems with:-The digital economy and emerging technologies-Transformation of agri-food systems-Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems
Olaore stressed that addressing youth unemployment—particularly in countries such as Nigeria, requires stronger alignment between skills development and evolving labour market demands.Strengthening Local
Partnerships for Greater Impact
He further underscored that sustainable development outcomes depend on strengthening country-level delivery systems through deeper collaboration with:-Local and community-based organisations-Civil society actors-Private sector partners and innovation networks According to his remarks, such partnerships are essential for improving implementation effectiveness and ensuring that development programmes translate into tangible, measurable impact on the ground. This approach is especially critical for accelerating inclusive job creation for youth and women in underserved communities.
Youth as Central Drivers of Development
A key message of the intervention was the need to reposition young people as active drivers of development, rather than passive recipients.Olaore emphasised that long-term development impact depends on how effectively global systems empower local actors and enable young people to meaningfully participate in shaping solutions, policies, and implementation processes.
Conclusion
The participation of YEDIS at the IDA Policy Dialogue reflects its growing engagement in global development policy spaces and its commitment to advancing youth-centred solutions.Olaore expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue, reaffirming YEDIS’s mission to promote inclusive development, foster innovation, and empower young people across developing economies.