The Ministry of Education has drafted a directive that would compel all public universities and private colleges to establish Employment and Entrepreneurship Development Centres within six months of ratification, Addis Fortune reported.

The measure is designed to align higher education more closely with labour market needs amid persistent graduate unemployment.

Kora Toshine, State Minister for Higher Education, said the initiative would be the first national framework to institutionalise career and entrepreneurship support across the higher education system. “This directive is a national response,” he told Fortune. “Universities have tried scattered career services before, but this is the first time we are institutionalising it across the board with mandatory participation and measurable outcomes.”

Under the draft, the centres will function as autonomous but integrated units reporting to academic vice presidents. Their mandate includes career counselling, job matching, internship facilitation, mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and organizing career fairs and networking events with the private sector. They will also run start-up incubators and co-working spaces to provide students with practical work exposure.

The directive requires the centres to carry out regular labour market assessments and tracer studies to ensure services remain relevant. Data on employment outcomes, employer satisfaction, and student participation will form part of university performance evaluations.

The ministry has pledged to train centre directors and mobilise support from private employers and donors to fund operations. Universities will also be ranked on their performance in graduate job placement and entrepreneurship development. “Graduation alone isn’t the goal,” Kora said. “We want universities judged by the employability and innovation of their graduates.”

Officials have confirmed that the directive will apply to alumni up to three years after graduation, as well as university staff and mentors. Participation will be mandatory for all students at least once each academic year. “This is not optional,” Kora said. “Every university should establish these centres. We are committed to ensuring graduates leave equipped for the labour market and empowered to create their own opportunities.”