ADDIS ABABA- Blue economy said alternative source of youth employment, job creation and entrepreneurship in Africa. This was reflected when a three day regional workshop on entrepreneurship, youth employment opportunities in the blue economy, technology and innovation was launched yesterday here in Addis.
On the occasion, Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, said that due to poor employment opportunity in Africa, entrepreneurship and innovation is increasingly considered as one of the main drivers of self employment and development across the continent. And blue economy has been identified as a pillar strategy to create a job opportunity for youths and to ensure sustainable development goal in Africa, he added.
He stressed that blue economy can explore a wide range of emerging sectors, including renewable energy production, tourism, maritime transportation and marine biotechnology. The workshop identified the effective use of oceans, seas and inland water, widely recognized as a source of employment opportunities for the youth in Africa.
State Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation, Admassu Nebebe on the occasion said that the Ethiopian government has launched a strategy to use blue economy by constructing riverside projects to create job opportunities for the country’s youth. According to him, though Ethiopian government has been undertaking a lot of effort to create jobs for the youth, it is not enough in comparable to number of unemployed found in the country.
While it was highlighted that establishing a single continental market for goods and services can enhance entrepreneurship in the continent, blue economy was recognized as a viable vehicle to provide food security, employment, poverty eradication and innovation, among others.
The Ethiopian Herald April 10/2019
BY TAMERU REGASA
