Young Africans Call for Enabling Policy Framework to Accelerate Continent's Industrialization

Strategic Insights -

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a significant opportunity for young Africans to drive entrepreneurship and economic transformation on the continent, according to a group of young mentees who completed the Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) "Youth for AfCFTA Mentorship Programme". The youth participants highlighted that governments need to implement supportive policies and investment to ensure their participation in the AfCFTA. Despite the potential benefits of the AfCFTA, the youth noted that the challenges of infrastructure gap, lack of access to modern technologies, funding, electricity, and broadband internet keep them on the sidelines of the free trade area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AfCFTA presents a huge entrepreneurship opportunity for young Africans, but governments need to implement supportive policies and investment to ensure their participation.
  • The challenges of infrastructure gap, lack of access to modern technologies, funding, electricity, and broadband internet keep young people on the sidelines of the free trade area.
  • The Youth for AfCFTA Mentorship Programme has showcased the potential of young Africans to drive entrepreneurship and economic transformation on the continent.
  • The youth have developed innovative solutions, such as essays, infographics, and animation, to communicate the potential impact of the AfCFTA on youth in Africa.
  • The AfCFTA can increase employment opportunities and wages for unskilled workers, and help close the gender wage gap, according to the youth.

Ms. Jessica Debby Ndjadila, a mentee of the Essay group, emphasized that African governments should prioritize intellectual property rights protection, fiscal policies to drive entrepreneurs into content distribution, and the democratization of access to broadband connectivity. Another group of youth developed an infographic to highlight the benefits of gender inclusion in the AfCFTA, noting that Sub Saharan Africa is losing an average of $95 billion annually as a result of gender inequality.

African governments are encouraged to implement policies that support young entrepreneurs, including reducing infrastructure gaps, increasing access to modern technologies, and promoting fiscal policies that drive entrepreneurship. The youth have also called for the operationalization of the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to increase the competitiveness of and investment in youth-dominated start-ups in Africa.

Statistics:

  • $95 billion: The average annual loss due to gender inequality in Sub Saharan Africa.
  • 25%: The proportion of women using the internet compared to men in Africa.
  • 95%: The proportion of young people in Africa who are eager to participate in the AfCFTA, but are held back by infrastructure gaps and lack of access to modern technologies.

Sources:

  • [Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) - Youth for AfCFTA Mentorship Programme]
  • [Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) - The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): What is in it for young Africans?]
  • [United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Africa's youth]
  • [African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) - Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS)]