In this study, Professor Robert Kappel outlines current developments and trends with regard to employment in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, he questions the established effect mechanism, and subjects traditional development and economic policy solutions to a critical reality check. He argues that economic growth alone does not guarantee job creation. On the contrary, the employment prospects for many people on the continent have been deteriorating for years. Investments by foreign companies, for instance – whether from Europe or countries such as China – also fall far short of expectations in terms of their employment effects. The author concludes by presenting recommendations for reforms and strategies to successfully foster employment creation.