As the world advances towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, a frequently quoted comment from the 1992 Brundtland Report for the World Commission on Environment and Development states: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The report transformed sustainable development from a concept of sustainable yield in forestry and fisheries to a broader one that combines economic and environmental strategies.
Through this broader concept, we can focus on the youth, who represent most of Africa’s population. The continent’s untapped resources, especially its youth, have yet to be fully unleashed into the marketplace to transform the economic landscape.
This dynamic population segment holds the key to unlocking Africa's potential. Empowering them with the right skills and opportunities will bridge the global skills gap and ensure sustainable development for future generations. They need appropriate education, digital infrastructure, and an enabling environment encouraging innovation to transform the continent's economic landscape.
At least 13 million young people will enter the labour market this decade. Two significant opportunities arise. First, the region may use agglomeration and skill development to strengthen its domestic job market.
Second, if the business climate improves, the continent can profit from global shifts in employment without succumbing to brain drain.
These initiatives require providing youth with the necessary skills for active involvement in the digital economy, which is aided by readily available and affordable internet, particularly concerning sustainable development.
Therefore, it is imperative that the continent makes plans for these youth within what they control, rather than hoping that external actions will provide job offers. Immigration is already causing unintended consequences within and outside of Africa.
The focus should be on creating robust policies that promote local entrepreneurship, skill development, and sustainable industries that can provide employment and growth opportunities within the continent. This approach addresses the immediate need for jobs and fosters a resilient economy capable of withstanding global economic shifts.
Opportunities for value addition are abundant, yet waste piles up from what could easily be new products. In 2024, Kenya had a surplus in the production of Capsicum. Unfortunately, most of it went to waste. Ironically, the country imports the product.
In 2022, Kenya imported $704,000 worth of capsicum or pimenta, dried, crushed, or ground, mainly from China ($295,000), India ($223,000), the US ($75,700), Israel ($48,000), and France ($18,600). The imports continue to rise, potentially reaching millions in 2024. This situation requires thorough monitoring and evaluation of data to ensure that initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment among the youth are effective.
When a country systematically collects and analyses data on employment trends, skill gaps, and market demands, policymakers and stakeholders can make informed decisions to create targeted programmes addressing the specific needs of the youth.
Ensuring that the data is accurate and up to date is crucial for developing strategies that will not only create job opportunities but also enhance the employability of youth in various sectors.
About 61 percent of youth are engaged in agriculture, characterised by low productivity. Non-agricultural sectors fare better, but only Northern Africa reports an equal distribution between formal and informal workers.
Additionally, almost 12 percent of employed youth experience underemployment, a threefold increase compared to the global average. Despite advancements, a significant portion of African youth still work informally and face underemployment. Many cannot realise their full potential due to various constraints, including low wages, job insecurity, and inadequate social protection.
Poor value chains result in low productivity and underemployment. Productivity improvement centres across the continent and streamlining value chains could fix the problem.
This consumption-production imbalance presents a paradox; while opportunities for job creation are abundant, the continent often leaves these opportunities to other countries.
Africa inadvertently supports job creation and economic growth elsewhere when the continent fails to maximise local production.
Fostering an environment that prioritises local production and value addition can reverse the current trend. Investing in local enterprises that can transform raw materials into finished products will create jobs and stimulate local economies.
For example, instead of importing capsicum or pimenta products, local businesses need the capacity to process and package these goods for both domestic consumption and export. This approach would reduce import dependency, create jobs, and retain value within the continent.
Addressing African youth unemployment requires a multidimensional approach integrating skill development, local production, and value addition. The continent must empower the youth with the right education and digital infrastructure, fostering entrepreneurship and creating a conducive environment for innovation; Africa can unlock its immense potential.
Policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to craft robust policies that provide immediate job opportunities and build a resilient economy capable of withstanding global changes.
It is crucial to leverage the continent's abundant resources, enhance productivity, and streamline value chains to ensure sustainable development. By doing so, Africa can not only meet the present's needs but also secure future generations' prosperity.
The writer is Kenya’s Ambassador to Belgium, Mission to the European Union, Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States and World Customs Organisation.
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