Against the backdrop of rising youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa, governments have failed to prioritise the welfare of their citizens. The region’s volatile economy, driven by dependence on primary commodities, poor terms of trade, undiversified markets, and features of the Dutch disease, has further compounded these challenges. With both the public and private sectors struggling to address these issues, the non-profit sector has emerged as a beacon of hope. In the absence of government and the private sector to address the developmental challenges facing African youth, non-profit organisations are making significant contributions to address such challenges, including youth unemployment. This review appraised the literature on the economic contributions of the non-profit sector in addressing the social and economic crises facing Nigerian youth, especially the problem of youth unemployment. It deploys a desktop approach and employs a thematic analysis. On the basis of this, it highlights the contribution of the sector to economic development, including gaps in youth achieving dignified and fulfilling employment; identifies gaps in the literature; and points to areas of further research.