Investing in Africa's youth to harness the demographic dividend

Africa's social and economic transformation hinges on investment in its youth. At the Women Advancing Africa Forum, CNBC Africa's Fifi Peters engaged with youth advocates from Tanzania and Zambia to explore strategies for harnessing the demographic dividend presented by the continent's predominantly young population. In the realm of health, young people face significant challenges accessing services, particularly in the realm of sexual reproductive health. There is a pressing need to harmonize age-of-consent laws to ensure equitable access to essential services. Education systems also come under scrutiny, with concerns that they are not adequately preparing youth for the workforce. The lack of practical experience, such as internships, hinders the transition from education to employment. Halima, an NGO operator in Tanzania, highlighted the importance of empowering young women with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Across borders, similar challenges persist. In Zambia, advocacy efforts focus on initiating critical conversations around youth challenges and prompting policy changes at higher levels. While progress has been made in engaging policymakers, implementation remains a stumbling block. Both Tanzania and Zambia have endorsed policies aimed at investing in young people, yet operationalization lags behind rhetoric. In the context of economic discourse, the conversation often sidelines the youth perspective. Access to finance emerges as a major barrier for young entrepreneurs like Shuko, who struggle to secure capital due to stringent requirements and limited youth-friendly financing options. Saf, a student of economic development, emphasizes the pivotal role of education in shaping economic outcomes, particularly in reducing fertility rates and fostering a productive workforce. To fully leverage the demographic dividend, investing in girls' education emerges as a critical priority. Addressing governance issues and ensuring youth representation in decision-making processes are essential steps towards empowering young people to drive sustainable change. Contrary to misconceptions, the youth possess valuable insights and must be actively involved in shaping Africa's future. The path to economic advancement and unlocking Africa's demographic dividend lies in concerted efforts to support and empower the continent's youth. By addressing key barriers in health, education, finance, and governance, African nations can harness the transformative potential of their young population to drive inclusive growth and prosperity.