Africa is faced with many issues comprising bad governance, climate change, insecurity, rapid migration of citizens, and so on. However, despite the continent’s various problems, there is still hope. A big part of this hope is the youth. Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. According to the World Bank, there will be a seventy percent increase in Africa’s working population (ages 15 to 64) between 2015 and 2035. With such a vast projection and population of young people, it is obvious why African youths need special attention.
Youth empowerment provides young individuals with adequate support for the skills and knowledge they need to survive and succeed. The youth are the future, but to reach their full potential, governments must make a concerted effort to implement policies and programs that will empower youths. Below are four strategies to help governments empower Africa’s young.
Provide quality education – The World Bank notes that “8 out of 10 children in Western and Central Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text by the age of 10, and more than 32 million children remain out of school – the largest share of all regions worldwide.” Quality education from primary to collegiate can empower African youths by preparing them for the jobs of the future and to work at high-level positions. Weak primary and secondary schools foundation can lead to a low-qualified workforce.
India is one of the world’s most preferred countries for global job outsourcing, especially in Information Technology (IT). This preferred position is because quality education has given India a competitive advantage. India’s reputable education system churns out around 2.5 million employable graduates annually. China also is a leading country for job outsourcing in business processing, manufacturing, and IT. In China, foreign companies have access to an immense pool of highly educated individuals with specialized skills that meet current and future job demands. African governments can attract foreign companies by empowering young people with quality education.
Quality education, an imperative strategy, is also goal number 4 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) list. With seven more years left to achieve the SDGs, this strategy can increase the chances of meeting the goals. Providing quality education also means ensuring that infrastructures like basic sanitation, computers, and Internet access are available to support learning. When the youths are empowered through quality education, they can access quality jobs, feel better about themselves, and contribute to development.
Engage in talent development & skills training – Many African youths are very talented, but without the proper support and development, they tend to dismiss their talent over the years. Talent development is an approach in which the youths are supported to discover and build their capacities in areas where they are already excelling. Talents like soccer, arts, basketball, singing, dancing, comedy, disc jokey, etc., are all skills to nurture in African youths to help empower them.
Limiting young people to the thought that successful career paths are only limited to being a lawyer, doctor or engineer is dismissing their innate talents, which could very well lead to their success. Talent development can improve their confidence and allow them to see how they can excel in other areas.
Skills training can also empower youths by enabling them to learn new skills to help them become more marketable. Low skills perpetuate poverty and inequality, while skills training can help mitigate inequality, reduce unemployment and improve living standards. Skills training can include but is not limited to training on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, numeracy, and personal initiative.
Boost Employment Opportunities – Governments and other stakeholders should enable employers to create jobs for young people and make a concerted effort to hire young people. In Nigeria, for example, the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) was enacted to prepare youths for the real world. This program is a requirement for all college graduates if they want to gain employment. Such programs are great initiatives, and some students do find work with the companies where they intern.
To boost employment opportunities for the youth, governments would have to start pushing for more young graduates to be hired. There should be a requirement that a percentage of graduates receive a job offer after they complete their service. In addition, governments should appoint youths to cabinet positions.
With the government’s help, employers also play a critical role in boosting employment opportunities for youth by providing job facilitation to match young job seekers with job offers.
Invest in Technology – Close the digital divide by expanding digital infrastructure. Africa’s persistent digital divide is explained by socioeconomic factors, with the affordability of devices and data being key inhibitors. Investing in technology infrastructure to increase youth access to the Internet and other technological innovations can help empower African youths. All primary and secondary schools should be required to have a computer lab where students can learn about technology at an early age. Additionally, support tech hubs with laptops that youths can access. Technology enables young people to access information to inform and educate themselves, which empowers them.
In most African countries, young individuals need help accessing necessary digital resources which they can use to empower themselves. Only thirty-three percent of the population was using the internet in Africa in 2021, meaning an estimated 871 million people are not obtaining digital dividends.
Empower the youths with the necessary digital competencies. African countries should invest in Internet connectivity, mobile networks, and electricity supply. Make investments to reduce power outages and provide affordable Internet services to empower young people through technology. Access to digital tools and technologies can support youth innovation. In addition to enabling youth innovation, technology can create digital jobs.
A committed government that effectively implements the above strategies can set Africa on a path to realizing its youths’ full potential. To meet the SDGs, governments, and stakeholders must focus on the youth. In addition to the apparent benefits to be gained from empowering young individuals, there are other benefits which include the following:
Poverty Reduction – One of the most significant transformations African countries can gain from implementing a proficient youth empowerment system is poverty reduction. Youth Empowerment can assist in curbing the jobless rate, which affects many youths. A country’s economic development is influenced majorly by two factors – the growth in the size of the workforce and the growth in the productivity of that workforce. Youth empowerment can improve the growth in productivity of its workforce since Africa already has a large youth population. Empowered youth could lead to more decent jobs, which could help in poverty reduction.
Improves Investment Climate – As Africa tries to move towards a value-adding manufacturing culture, empowered youth will play a critical role. Human capital is one factor that improves a country’s investment climate and attracts foreign investment. In addition to other government policies, through high-quality education, youth empowerment can attract foreign companies and help turn Africa into a manufacturing center. Strong empowerment initiatives will bring in foreign companies who, through the transfer of advanced technology, will further improve economic development in Africa.
Support a healthy democracy – Youth empowerment allows young individuals to participate fully in the political process, not only as voters but as political candidates. They would actively engage the government since they would better comprehend how policies are formulated, drafted, and implemented. In addition, since the youth are not equally represented in national political institutions, many do not participate in elections.
An empowered youth would understand the power of the vote, the relevance of democracy, and their role in the process. When many young people understand how policies are made, and they subsequently contribute to policy creation through various political means, it will be easier to demand transparency and accountability from legislators.
Helps the Climate Change fight – Climate action cannot happen without the participation of African youths. Young people globally have experienced climate shocks and have said that these shocks impacted their access to food and water, as well as their family’s income. Youths are taking action and pushing their governments to fight climate change, and African climate activists are stepping up and holding polluters accountable. An empowered youth generation would see more youths taking steps to minimize their carbon footprints and advocating for climate change.
Conclusion
Corruption and bad governance are serious challenges that obstruct the effectiveness of any youth empowerment activity. The four strategies listed can be affected by corruption and bad governance.
Another major challenge facing youth empowerment initiatives is conflict and political instability. Conflict and political instability affect the smooth implementation of policies and strategies to empower the youths. There are usually strong adverse effects on economic development in countries facing political instability. It is hard to focus on youth activities when a country is engulfed in conflict or suffers from corruption or bad governance.
The strategies presented here are powerful ways to support African youths. The continent has the highest youth population in the world, and many development indicators can be achieved through effective youth empowerment strategies. By providing quality education, talent development, skills training, boosting hiring opportunities, and investing in technology, African governments can unlock the potential of young people and transform the continent. Youth empowerment can help Africa create decent jobs, reduce poverty, and promote economic growth when effectively planned and implemented.
The challenges facing the success of youth empowerment strategies in some African countries include corruption, bad governance, and political instability. To ensure the strategies are implemented effectively, tackle the challenges. The youths represent the image of Africa’s present and future. By harnessing the youths’ power, ‘the Africa we want’ is possible.
About author
Elfreda K. Sheriff is the founder of KilSah Consulting, a small business support firm that provides research, policy advisory, training, and mentoring services to empower MSMEs and youth entrepreneurs. Her interests include women’s economic empowerment, small businesses, Africa’s economic development, democracy, and tackling corruption.
