The Chair and Global Programme Advisor for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Campaign, Grant Davis, has recognised the role of budding African youths in driving innovation on the continent.
He said Africa’s young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the innovators of today, driving transformative change and economic progress through technology and creativity.
Speaking at the African Economic Conference 2024, Davis emphasized the need to equip the continent’s youth with the skills and opportunities to address Africa’s pressing challenges and shape its future.
According to a communication issued by the Economic Commission for Africa, Davis proposed measures to empower Africa’s youth, including equipping them with skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding, reducing barriers to online access, and promoting entrepreneurship through trade opportunities within the AfCFTA framework.
He described these efforts as essential to unleashing the potential of young entrepreneurs to drive dramatic economic change.
Other panellists at the session echoed Davis’s call to action. Wedu Somolekae, Founder of Mesu-Glow Aesthetics in Botswana, highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusion in the adoption of technology.
She argued that rural and underprivileged communities are often left behind in technological advancements and called on businesses and governments to develop inclusive policies.
“Rural areas must not be excluded from this technological revolution,” Somolekae said, stressing that business models must align with sustainable development goals to ensure equitable participation in Africa’s technological transformation.
Lalima Mukherjee, Professor of Economics at the University of Engineering and Management in Kolkata, India, focused on the environmental implications of technological growth. She advocated for the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and hydro and emphasized the need to educate youth on sustainable practices early on to minimize waste and energy consumption.
Mary Donkor, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Jiangsu University in China, highlighted the disconnect between Africa’s education system and industry needs. She criticized the overly theoretical nature of current curricula and called for practical, industry-aligned education reforms.
“Africa must integrate education and industrial reforms to prepare its nations for global competition and foster sustainable development,” Donkor said. She further urged governments to prioritize national policies that support long-term development rather than short-term political agendas.
The discussion underscored the critical role of youth in Africa’s economic transformation, with panellists agreeing that equipping young people with skills, fostering inclusiveness, and adopting sustainable practices is essential for building a brighter future.
The African Economic Conference 2024, jointly organized by the African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Government of Botswana, provided a platform for these crucial conversations.
