As Africa marks another youth day, addressing the challenges of its youth population is crucial for the continent’s sustainable development and economic growth.

Development Diaries reports that Africa Youth Day is celebrated yearly by the African Union (AU) on 01 November to promote the increased recognition of youths as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development in all areas of African society.

Africa is the continent with the youngest population in the world, with 70 percent of sub-Saharan Africans under 30, according to the United Nations (UN).

With a large and rapidly growing youth demographic, Africa has both a valuable resource and a potential demographic dividend, but its youths face a myriad of challenges that often hinder their personal and collective development.

These challenges are both complex and interconnected, encompassing various aspects of their lives, and they have a significant impact on the future of Africa.

High levels of youth unemployment and underemployment persist across Africa. A lack of job opportunities, particularly in the formal sector, forces many young people to engage in low-paying and unstable work or remain unemployed altogether.

In a 2023 report, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that 11.2 percent of African youths, meaning those between the ages of 15 and 24, are unemployed, and this percentage has remained unchanged from the previous two years.

This not only limits their economic prospects but also hampers the continent’s potential for growth.

Access to quality education remains unequal across the continent. Many African youths do not have the opportunity to receive a proper education, which limits their potential and ability to compete in a globalised world.

The problem of skill mismatches is also glaring. There is a mismatch between the skills acquired through formal education and the skills demanded by the job market. This disconnect often leaves young graduates ill-equipped to secure gainful employment in their chosen fields.

Furthermore, corruption, poor governance, and political instability can stifle investment and impede economic progress, making it difficult for young people to establish businesses or build their careers.

Africa has a disproportionately large youth population. While this can be a demographic dividend, it also poses challenges when these young people do not have access to opportunities and resources, potentially leading to social unrest.

In regions with ongoing conflicts and insecurity, youths are particularly vulnerable. They may be forcibly recruited into armed groups, displaced from their homes, or subjected to violence.

Despite these challenges, African youths are also a source of resilience, innovation, and hope for the continent.

By providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities, the continent can harness its demographic potential to drive growth and development in the 21st century.

Development Diaries calls on African governments to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes investments in education, health care, job creation, good governance, and the promotion of inclusive policies as a way to address these issues.