The Underutilization of African Youth
The African Renaissance that has been underway has brought many challenges to the surface. Chief among them is the limited engagement of African youth in the work being done.
Recently at the Power African Youth (PAY) event hosted at the New York offices of the African Union, an Ambassador said it perfectly:
“[African youth] are the Present NOT the Future of Africa; because if [they’re] not seriously involved in private and public sectors today, there will be no future to inherit.”
Capable young Africans are bountiful across the globe. Many are foreign educated and can bring all those experiences back home. They are usually multilingual, which is a tremendous boon in courting and maintaining outside business interest.
Many in the diaspora have either expressed interest, working towards it or have already returned to Africa. What is desperately needed are meaningful opportunities for them to do transformative work. Leveraging their education, perspectives, and talents to drive practice and policy. They need to have positions of significant power and influence if the continent is to continue its upwards traction.
At the PAY event, a representative from the UN Secretary General Special Advisor Abdelaziz Maged’s office expressed this exact sentiment:
“We need to create opportunities and environments that compliment Africa’s young entrepreneurs…because they have the energy, creativity, and solutions to address both current and future problems”
The presence of the African Youth in the workforce shouldn’t be seen as a threat or signal for obsolescence; rather as a critical component to staving off obsolescence. They will still need mentorship & coaching (a.k.a. management); however, they will also need room to apply their energy, education and experiences. Through a multigenerational partnership in both the private and public sectors, we will grow Africa’s potential into prowess.
“Poverty, illiteracy, and terrorism can and are being addressed by young African entrepreneurs, many of whom are in the Diaspora.” — Junior Mekinda
