Last week, Ethiopia hosted a significant Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit under the theme “Unlocking the Power of Youth for a Prosperous Africa.”
This pivotal gathering brought together numerous dynamic and passionate African youth, who stressed that the continent’s future lays on its rapidly growing youth population.
Representing the Angola National Youth Council, Toko Algere highlighted the immense potential of Africa’s youth.
He stated, “The youth are a powerful segment of Africa, brimming with brilliant ideas and boundless energy that can transform the continent into a better place.” However, he acknowledged the myriad challenges young Africans face and urged governments across the continent to address these obstacles.
Algere further stressed the critical importance of investing in the youth to unlock their full potential.
Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council’s Executive Committee from Kenya, Neema Abdikadir commended the Ethiopian government for its initiative in convening Africa’s brightest minds.
She expressed optimism about the declarations made, the dialogues held, and the actionable ideas generated during the summit. She asserted, “It is time for young people to assume leadership positions. We can implement these ideas if we are in power.”
Neema added, “Good governance must be the top priority, and we can drive this change when we hold leadership roles.” She also addressed the significant challenges confronting Africa’s youth, urging governments to “extend financial support and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles” to empower young people.
The Chairperson of Botswana’s National Youth Council, Millicent Sethaile, praised the remarkable achievements of African youth in recent years. She remarked, “African youth are becoming more courageous; countries have changed parliaments, countries have changed presidents, countries have changed political parties that have been ruling for years and this is because of young people. I think that alone goes to show how much young people are courageous.” She underscored the necessity for youth to take on leadership roles, stating, “Until young people are seated at the table, we will not see meaningful change.”
Furthermore, Millicent emphasized the importance of collaboration among African youth to transform the continent. She concluded with a powerful message: “We can realize the Africa we envision. The Africa we want is within our hand because Africa is young.”
Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Antonio Pedro emphasized that achieving Africa’s aspirations hinges on understanding the needs, interests, challenges, and potential of its youth, who make up over 60 percent of the continent’s population.
Africa is a continent on the rise. With over 60 percent of its people under the age of 25, it is home to the world’s youngest population. Despite this, it is also the continent with almost 76 million young Africans not in formal employment, education, or training (NEET).
Although 10-12 million youths enter the workforce annually, only around three million formal jobs are created in Africa, leaving a significant gap in terms of job creation, Pedro indicated.
Further, millions of young Africans are facing barriers to entrepreneurship and struggling to access the skills, capital, and networks needed to succeed. For him, the high number of young people excluded from economic and political activities underscores the critical challenge of the disempowered youth population on the continent.
“As such, it is vital to include young people in decision-making and give them appropriate opportunities to work and innovate! The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 underscore the importance of promoting the rights of young people and meeting their needs, in all their diversity.”
Achieving these aspirations requires an understanding of the needs, interests, challenges and potential of Africa’s youth, Pedro said stressing the need for youth representatives in economic and political dialogue, decision-making and implementation.
“We must strengthen meaningful youth engagement in policymaking and decision-making processes. This requires interventions at an institutional level, through youth organizations and networks as well as in support of policymakers who can listen to and respond to the voices of youth.”
The education system must evolve to meet emerging societal needs and the demands of the modern economy, the Deputy Executive Secretary noted stating “Over 80 percent of African youths in school aspire to work in high-skilled occupations. Still, only eight percent find such jobs.”
Skills training programs and active labor market policies are key to helping young people integrate into decent jobs in the formal sector, he underlined.
Together with skills and education, transformative pathways, such as Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), are essential for empowering Africa’s youth, especially with the global shifts in artificial intelligence (AI) and the green transition.
He cited a report that states AI could add 15.7 trillion USD to the global economy by 2030, with Africa’s share estimated at 1.3 trillion USD- surpassing both Foreign Direct Investment and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).
This could significantly boost inclusive, sustainable growth in Africa by enabling opportunities and job creation for the youth, benefiting the continent’s future prosperity.
He mentioned that entrepreneurship is a powerful engine of job creation, but too often, young entrepreneurs face challenges, including lack of access to finance, mentorship, and networks. Creating ecosystems that target the youth population on their entrepreneurship journey is therefore key, according to Pedro.
The involvement of the youth in the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement will be central. By reducing trade and other barriers, implementation of the Agreement can make it easier for companies to operate across borders, thus facilitating the entry of young Africans into higher-skilled and more productive and innovative sectors, such as agrifoods and climate-smart agriculture.
“To make the AfCFTA work for the youth, we must accelerate the ratification of the Protocols on the Free Movement of People, Goods and Services, Intellectual Property, Investment, and Competition.”
Meanwhile, panelists at the Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit in Addis Ababa have underscored the urgent need for transformative education as a means to empower and enlighten African youth in the rapidly changing global landscape.
The panel discussion highlighted the crucial role that education plays in shaping the future of the continent and its young population. More importantly, it focused on rethinking on quality education practices in Africa as the continent faces various challenges such as economic inequality and rapid technological advancements, emphasizing on transformative education in playing a pivotal role in preparing African young people for the future.
Among the panelists, Malawi National Youth Council Executive Director, Rex Chapota, said the current educational curriculum across Africa must evolve to better serve the needs of young people.
He underscored the importance of adopting a transformative approach to education that not only imparts knowledge but also fosters empowerment and critical thinking among the youth. Moreover, the executive director stressed the integration of African indigenous knowledge into national educational curricula as a critical component of transformative education.
On her part, Under-Secretary-General for the Organization of Southern Cooperation, Prof. Hirut Woldemariam, echoed Chapota’s sentiments, stating that the responsibility for providing quality education should not rest solely on governments.
While governmental initiatives are crucial, she added that a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders including private sectors and civil society is essential for achieving educational excellence. She pointed out that creating conducive environment for youth is vital for unlocking opportunities that enhance quality of education.
The professor cautioned that mere access to education does not guarantee quality, stressing the need for systemic changes to ensure that educational institutions are equipped to meet the diverse needs of learners.
Moreover, the Under-Secretary-General also pointed out that the incorporation of local knowledge systems can help preserve cultural heritage while providing relevant educational content that resonates with the experiences of African youth.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 11 APRIL 2025
