Africa’s vast youth population could be the continent’s most valuable asset, potentially transforming it into a global leader in innovation, industry and economic development.
With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the continent stood on the cusp of a youth-driven growth wave that could fuel its economies and contribute to global prosperity.
The realisation of this immense potential depends on one fundamental factor - which is education.
“If we are to transform our continent’s demographic advantage into a true growth engine, we must ensure that Africa’s young people are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and abilities they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“This is both our challenge and our opportunity. Africa’s youth have the potential to form the largest working-age population in the world by the year 2063, but that will benefit the continent only if they are adequately educated and skilled to meet the demands of tomorrow’s industries,” Gwarube said.
The Minister was addressing the Partnerships for Education Business Breakfast held at the Johannesburg Council for The Disabled in Lenasia on Monday.
The Partnerships for Education Business Breakfast is designed to foster meaningful dialogue and establish partnerships to alleviate budgetary constraints in the education sector.
The event convened 100 business leaders from the private sector to discuss collaborative strategies to crowd in private sector resources to improve educational outcomes in South Africa.
The breakfast included presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for leaders committed to investing in education as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
Gwarube praised the potential of Africa’s youth to be the productivity drivers and innovators of tomorrow.
The Minister added that the youth represent Africa's future, as a driver of global progress and they are already demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability.
She said the young Africans are technologically savvy, innovative, and highly motivated, and they bring energy, optimism, and creative problem-solving to every sector they touch.
“Even when stats show that ours is a continent with the lowest levels of connectivity, young people are leveraging digital technology, they are leading the thinking on renewable energy out of sheer necessity of energy poverty, and are leading social entrepreneurship to bridge the gap in what economists refer to as the bottom of the pyramid consumer market. Young Africans are pushing boundaries and setting trends,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
