African Youth Leading Development : Youth in Africa: A Key Catalyst for Development on the Continent

Nairobi, Jan 19 (NationPress) On a sleek train between Nairobi and Mombasa, young stewards warmly welcome passengers. In the bustling Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, young workers proudly produce goods stamped with "Made in Africa." In Nigeria, young employees efficiently manage parcel deliveries at a booming e-commerce logistics hub.

Across the continent, young people are not just participants; they are catalysts accelerating Africa's transformation, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

According to the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank, Africa holds the title for the youngest population globally, boasting over 400 million individuals aged 15 to 35, with projections indicating this figure will exceed 830 million by 2050.

This demographic, driven by the digital revolution and a transition towards green energy, is unlocking new opportunities across the continent.

By collaborating with global partners like China, African nations are leveraging this demographic dividend, empowering their youth to create a brighter, more innovative future.

According to Statista, as of 2023, Africa’s total population surpassed 1.46 billion and is anticipated to reach around 2.5 billion by 2050.

In the "AI and the Future of Work in Africa White Paper", Microsoft estimated that by the end of the 21st century, Africa will host nearly half of the world’s youth population, almost double the entire population of Europe.

The robust presence of young workers is revitalizing traditional sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services while fast-tracking the development of emerging sectors like the digital economy, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Furthermore, these young generations act as a significant consumption force, enhancing the appeal of the African market.

Youth are a vital driving force for Africa's socio-economic development, stated Liu Tiannan, associate professor at the French Department of Foreign Languages Faculty and director of the African Studies Institute at the University of International Relations in China.

The youth bulge in Africa could emerge as the region's most valuable asset moving forward, as other parts of the world contend with population aging and labor shortages, according to the International Labour Organization's report titled "Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024."

At Yaxare, an herbal tea company based in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, 33-year-old founder Fatoumata Njie supervises the packaging of her products, which have gained popularity among local consumers largely due to the integration of digital technologies in her business management.

To enhance the quality and yield of local medicinal herbs, Njie developed a mobile application called "Happy Farm," assisting farmers in improving soil quality and boosting harvests. Simultaneously, she frequently orders packaging and tea processing equipment from e-commerce platforms to deliver attractive, high-quality products to her customers.

Thanks to digital transformation, the daily lives of many young Africans like Njie are experiencing a notable shift. Across the continent, e-commerce and digital finance are making impressive advancements, while mobile payments are rapidly expanding. As communication infrastructure continues to improve, new job and entrepreneurial opportunities are rising for Africa's youth.

Additionally, more young Africans are increasingly participating in the energy transition, particularly amid the growing threat of climate change. They are leading innovation in energy technologies and facilitating the electrification of rural areas, guiding the continent towards a green economy.

Doreen Orishaba, managing director at BasiGo, a Kenyan company specializing in new-energy vehicles, has spent over a year promoting Chinese electric buses in Rwanda, where fuel imports are costly and fuel consumption is high due to the mountainous terrain. Her efforts have raised awareness among local bus operators about the environmental and economic advantages of these vehicles, prompting them to order more than a hundred electric buses.

"For every bus BasiGo puts on a Rwandan road, we are helping mitigate up to 30 tons of CO2 emissions," she stated.

Liu emphasized that for Africa's youth potential to transform into a genuine demographic dividend, it is crucial to enhance the education system, improve skill development, broaden employment opportunities, and foster entrepreneurship among young people.

Henok Amanuel Emiru, a 26-year-old Ethiopian student, never envisioned winning the highest accolade among African candidates at the Belt and Road International Skills Competition held in Chongqing Municipality, China, last June.

This achievement results from training at the Ethiopian Luban Workshop, designated by the AU Headquarters as a high-quality skill-training center for the entire African continent. Through the shared expertise of his instructors, Emiru mastered techniques at the vocational training workshop.

The Luban Workshop exemplifies Sino-African collaboration in youth education. Over the next three years, China will continue implementing the Future of Africa project, focusing on vocational education cooperation with African countries, establishing or upgrading 10 Luban Workshops and 20 schools, and providing training opportunities tailored for youth development.

African nations are also striving to empower youth through customized development programs, such as Morocco's government plan to invest 14 billion Moroccan dirhams (1.4 billion U.S. dollars) in youth employment, Senegal's National Youth Development Program 2025-2029, and Zambia's digital and green skills training initiatives until 2027.

"Together, we can build a continent where young people are at the forefront of innovation, governance, and sustainable development," stated Chido Mpemba, the AU youth envoy.