Unlocking The Potential of Africa’s Youth

By: Nardos Bekele-Thomas and Snorre Westgaard

Africa’s boundless potential offers an unparalleled opportunity for progress.

However, many young people across the continent today face job uncertainty. By expanding opportunities for youth to shape their careers and improve their lives, we can unlock Africa’s full potential, and foster transformative growth and prosperity.

To fully harness this vast potential, aligning Africa’s economic strategies with the realities of its growing youth population is crucial.

The Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Africa’s Agenda 2063 provides a comprehensive roadmap, emphasizing socio-economic development through industrialization, regional integration, and expanded markets across the continent. This framework highlights key sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, agro-processing, automobile manufacture and repair, renewable energy, trade, services, and digital technologies, offering tremendous opportunities for young people.

However, these sectors require a workforce equipped with both practical skills and innovative problem-solving abilities.

Why TVET?

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential for equipping young Africans with the skills needed for a thriving society. TVET goes beyond job preparation—it empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to their communities and become architects of progress.

By providing practical skills and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, TVET drives innovation and economic growth.

According to UNESCO-UNEVOC, TVET graduates are twice as likely to become entrepreneurs compared to those with general education. Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that for every $1 invested in TVET, there can be up to $15 in increased economic returns.

TVET’s impact extends beyond economic growth. In sectors like healthcare, construction, and agriculture, vocational training saves lives, builds homes, and feeds families. For instance, a young person trained in agriculture who implements innovative farming practices, boosts local food production, enhances food security, and improves community well-being.

TVET also promotes gender equality by opening doors for women in historically excluded sectors. Equal access to vocational training empowers women to lead, create jobs, and challenge stereotypes. For example, a young woman trained in engineering becomes a role model for other young women, inspiring them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), thereby fostering a more inclusive workforce.

When it comes to addressing climate change, TVET plays a fundamental role. By integrating green skills into training programs, young people are equipped to lead in sustainable practices, creating a future where economic growth and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.

Overcoming challenges

Despite these clear benefits, TVET is often misunderstood and undervalued, seen as a secondary option rather than a powerful driver of progress for many African youth.

This is why Humana People to People and AUDA-NEPAD are joining forces to launch the Africa Skills Revolution Competition. This initiative is more than just a competition; it’s a transformative movement aimed at reshaping TVET narratives and showcasing its immense potential among African youth.

The Africa Skills Revolution Competition will provide a platform for young Africans to share their TVET success stories, amplifying their voices and highlighting the diverse and rewarding career paths TVET can offer.

This competition will foster a sense of community and collaboration among young people across the continent, encouraging them to learn from each other’s experiences and achievements.

As we look towards a future where Africa’s youth will increasingly shape the continent’s development, it is imperative that we invest in their skills, aspirations, and potential.

The decisions we make today, in strengthening TVET systems across Africa, will determine whether this vast youth demographic becomes the engine of growth and innovation or a lost opportunity.

We call upon governments, private sector leaders, and international organizations to take bold action. By investing in TVET, these stakeholders can ensure that every young person has the tools and opportunities to contribute to a thriving, sustainable future.

Let us embrace this challenge together and build the Africa we want—one where every young person plays a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s progress.

Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas is the CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), while Mr. Snorre Westgaard is Chairman at Humana People to People.

@CREDIT: This story was originally published by Africa Renewal Magazine