Johannesburg, South Africa – This Fall, world leaders go gather for one big summit to talk about Africa. When the South Africans dey plan the whole show years ago, their vision na to bring leaders together wey go make naija-level commitment to support Africa and create opportunities for better international collaborations. But as e be now, the reality no too sweet!
As we dey talk, US Agency for International Development don shut down sharp sharp, canceling billions of dollars wey dey flow for projects and financing for Africa. But no be all hope lost as some other donors dey step up to help, including multi-year commitment from the Gates Foundation. Still, the political landscape don shake small, and some African leaders dey wonder whether dem need another model to thrive.
One of dem leaders be our padi from Naija, Adebayo, wey be lawyer and philanthropist, plus the leader of Social Democratic Party (SDP) wey dey eye presidential seat come 2027. Him don dey chant am, say youth empowerment go be the way for Africa to develop. Other leaders dey sing similar tunes about rare earth minerals, manufacturing, and ecotourism as dem big chances to help the continent waka away from heavy reliance on foreign aid.
But make we yan true, Africa’s entrepreneurship scene still dey waka well, well. According to Max Cuvellier Giacomelli wey sabi the matter, Nigeria startups don pull $4.6 billion since 2019, with Kenya following dey catch up with $3.4 billion. Na only two plus South Africa and Egypt dey relevant for startup ecosystems. But if we compare with India-like Bangalore wey raise over $12 billion last year, or the US startups wey dey rake in cash like they no get worries, e clear say we dey lag behind.
Dem talk say instead of making una dey try fight Silicon Valley for dem level, leaders like Adebayo dey call for youth-focused strategies. Him don yan before, ‘Nigeria na country wey get plenty young population. If we fit uplift this demographic, we go turn true economic superpower. But leadership don dey lack for long dis country.’
Now, make we talk about Nigeria’s young population wey stand at over 60%, with many dey think say em go emigrate just to escape wahala wey dey ground. The gist dey show say unemployment dey high, and over 56% of Naija citizens dey live below poverty line. Na so, 60% of youths wey don respond to survey don think of packing handbag and japa.
One area wey Nigeria, plus other African nations, need to focus on na supporting local entrepreneurs. Policies wey go support small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—those wey get less than 500 employees—go help plenty. We go need financing programs, access to capital, and workforce training to lift the local economy make e shine well.
The startup space for Africa fit improve if universities fit do better research and development. Most African startups dey drag for IT sector alongside Asia and America, toughening their hustle. Some local R&D programs fit bring fresh solutions for industries like oil and oil, logistics, and agriculture.
Roy-Stanley Nwafor, Country Representative for Institute for Economics and Peace Nigeria, don drop sense at the 13th AU-UN Youth Consultation. Him dey talk about a three-pillar strategy—attitudes, structures, and institutions wey go strengthen youth leadership and peace in Africa. This no be just knowledge; the youth dey bring important solutions to how we go engage and empower dem.
As Pidgin future dey shine, if Africa’s youth rise up to the occasion and we fit provide dem the right tools and support, wetin go stop dem from reaching greatness? We need to listen and take action now before e too late!
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