Experts have warned that African nations could encounter severe difficulties unless they can develop innovative strategies to combat burgeoning youth unemployment rates. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has predicted that by 2050, Africa’s youth population will have doubled to exceed 830 million, making it the largest continental youth populace globally. The working-age population (those aged 15-64) is also set to surge, from 849 million in 2024 to 1.56 billion, representing an 85% increase in the global workforce.

At a webinar arranged by the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN), attendees stressed the urgent need for supporting young African citizens, who constitute the majority of the population and have the potential to significantly drive economic growth. Ralph Van Kaufmann, a business incubation expert, highlighted that unemployment among young Africans poses a serious concern. To address this, he suggested that African countries shift from simply producing job-seeking youth to providing them with opportunities to create their own employment.

Additionally, business development and incubation expert, Ms Susan Watkins, stressed the importance of supporting youth in small to medium enterprises (SMEs). She suggests that nurturing these businesses can create numerous jobs, introduce emerging technologies, and offer access to research and innovation. Professor Alex Ariho, the executive director of AAIN, added that providing business support services to the youth is crucial for tackling socio-economic challenges in Africa and reducing escalating unemployment rates. He identified essential skills necessary for self-employment success, including financial literacy, marketing, research, social development, and access to finance.

Business incubation, which nurtures startups from the ideation process to growth and success, was identified as a significant means through which youth unemployment could be addressed. This process would help equip the youth with the necessary skills and resources to create their own employment opportunities, a shift in strategy deemed necessary to combat the looming issue of youth unemployment.

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