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a youth bulge that has provided abundant supply of skilled labour for the nascent industrial sector alongside creating a huge market niche for luxury goods manufactured locally or abroad.
Experts, youth leaders attending a Pan African Youth Conference in Nairobi told Xinhua on Thursday that Africa is entering a new era defined by economic growth, political stability and social progress.
“This is the century for Africa as the continent defies old stereotypes to become a significant player in global affairs. However, this transformation is being propelled by the youth as they actively engage in national development agenda,” said Ojo Adebayo, a Nigerian youth leader attending the Nairobi conference.
The African Youth Conference on Post-2015 Development Agenda was attended by government officials, donors and youth leaders from ten Sub-Saharan African countries to discuss new development pathways for the continent.
Delegates agreed that Africa has made successes in some of the Millennium Development Goals though fresh momentum must be injected to reduce poverty, empower the youth and tackle a host of health and environmental challenges.
“Our governments should integrate the youth fully in both civic affairs and national development programmes if Africa is to realise sustainable development aspirations,” Adebayo said.
He stressed that African youths were willing to be part of the continent’s transformation if governments roll out the necessary policy and legislative incentives.Africa should harness the energies, passion and resilience of its youthful population to accelerate progress.
The Co-ordinator, UN Millennium Campaign, Mwaura Kaara, emphasised that African youths will shape the continent’s future and governments’ should incorporate them in all human endeavours.
“A new sustainable development agenda for Africa can only succeed if the youth are in the frontline. The June Rio + 20 Summit underscored the involvement of the youth to accelerate economic and technological progress alongside ensuring equitable and inclusive growth,” said KaaraAn estimated 65 percent of Africa’s total population is below 35 years and countries are reaping from a demographic dividend as skilled youths enter the labour market.
The Acting Head, Office of External Relations, UN-HABITAT, Thomas Melin, noted that Africa is the new frontier for urbanisation as the youthful population moves into cities in search of jobs, education and better living standards.
Melin stressed that an educated and skilled youthful population will enable Africa to reap optimally from benefits associated with globalisation.
“A larger pool of youths trained in the information technology (IT), engineering and business courses will benefit countries in a globalised era where movement of goods and services across borders is no longer limited,” Melin said.
African youths have become devoted foot soldiers in advancing peace, civil liberties and political inclusiveness.According to Hannah Taremwa, a Ugandan volunteer with a grassroots lobby group, the youth are playing major roles in promoting communal welfare.
“Whether in the area of environmental conservation, human rights advocacy or championing for the rights of the marginalised, the youth have added their voice in these noble endeavors critical to advancement of their societies,” Taremwa said. — Xinhua.
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