Business
THE Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Claver Gatete, has called for concerted efforts to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth for sustainable growth.
“Africa’s youth are not just the future; they are the present driving force of our continent, and they must have a decisive role in shaping our pact for the future,” said Gatete during the session held ahead of the Summit of the Future under the theme “Transforming Africa with Youth-Driven Solutions’ in New York .
This is contained in a statement by the ECA.
“With Africa expected to account for 42 per cent of the global youth population by 2030, the continent’s success, and that of the world, is deeply intertwined with the contributions of its young people,” he said.
In spite of this demographic advantage, Gatete acknowledged the significant challenges facing Africa’s youth, particularly in accessing employment opportunities.
He named some of the challenges to be, high unemployment rates, an education system misaligned with labour market needs, and insufficient investment in skills development.
“The reality is stark: without urgent investments in education, skills development, and especially digital capabilities, Africa’s young population may struggle to reach its full potential,” he warned.
Speaking on the transformative power of digitisation, Gatete outlined the potential of Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach 75 billion dollars by 2025.
According to him, artificial intelligence is expected to contribute 1.2 trillion dollars to Africa’s Gross Domestic product (GDP) by 2030, but unlocking these opportunities requires significant investment.
The executive secretary said there was urgent need to bridge Africa’s digital divide. As only 37 per cent of the continent’s population had access to the internet, with the gap disproportionately affecting women.
Gatete said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was a major driver of economic growth and youth empowerment.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging Africa’s comparative advantages across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services to create regional value chains.
“We cannot overemphasise the unprecedented opportunities in regional integration, digitalisation, and green energy development especially as the AfCFTA is a catalyst for job creation and economic transformation ” he said.
On education, Gatete urged governments and policymakers to prioritise investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and vocational training.
“Investments in STEM and TVET are non-negotiable for building the productive capabilities of young people and ensuring the competitiveness of our countries.
“Equipping youth with the right skills is essential to ensuring they thrive in the modern work force,”he said.
While celebrating the resilience and innovation of Africa’s youth, Gatete cautioned that inaction could undermine their potential.
“It will be unforgivable if they are shortchanged because of the actions we fail to take today.
“ECA is committed to supporting Africa’s youth in their pursuit of socio-economic progress.
“Together, we can shape a future where African youth lead the continent towards a better, more equitable world,” he said. (NAN)
A.I
Sept. 25, 2024
Tags: AfCFTA Claver Gatete Economic Commission for Africa
