Energize Africa Initiative Advances Youth and Women To Lead Developmental Strategies

Real consultation with youth to build viable programmes will be key to
making Energize Africa a success. By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa Nardos Bekele- Thomas, the AUDA-NEPAD Chief Executive Officer has
remarked: “The Energize Africa initiative is about harnessing youths’
creativity and skills into the continent’s economic growth and
development, whilst expanding income opportunities for the youth –
through creation of jobs, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” She was
speaking on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in
New York. The Energize Africa initiative recognises that Africa’s
youth and women – making up more than half of the continent’s
populations - must be at the core of Africa’s economic growth and
inclusive development strategies.

The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD in partnership with
Afreximbank, co-launched the AUDA-NEPAD Energize Africa initiative
last week. Moreover, Energize Africa’s focus is on young professionals
to enhance public sector efficiency; stimulate solution-focused
research and development, through innovation hubs, and;
Entrepreneurshippportunities for Africa’s youthful populations for
improved socio-economic well-being. Prof Benedict Okey Oramah,
President and Chairman of Board of Directors, Afreximbank remarked
that, “The Energize Africa collaboration is a demonstration of the
partnership with AUDA-NEPAD towards ensuring that youth are at the
core of our development. The youth are indeed the leaders of
tomorrow.” And recognising that the continent with the highest
percentage of entrepreneurs among working- age adults is Africa,
AUDA-NEPAD has designed the Energize Africa initiative as a
continental platform of youth professionals, institutions, and
facilities to strengthen innovative solutions, skills development,
employment, and entrepreneurship. “If we do not harness the youth
dividend, it will remain a "potential." Energize Africa is an
opportunity to invest in the future of Africa," Dr Monique
Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission said
during the high-level opening session of the launch event. “My
presence here today is meant to signal the political commitment of the
African Union Commission to ensure we see change on the issue of youth
employment in Africa, within the context of Agenda 2063,” Dr
Nsanzabaganwa added. Several messages of support from Energize Africa
patrons and champions were delivered during the launch. “Energizing
Africa is indispensable to leverage Africa’s most valuable resource,
its human capital. It is important for supporting start-ups to get on
their feet and serve as long-term sources of innovation and growth –
put simply, by giving young people a chance to design their future.
Let us join efforts to energize Africa and build, the Africa we want,
to ensure that no one is left behind,” stated Amina J. Mohammed,
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations in her message of
support.

Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia remarked that, “Real
consultation with youth to build viable programmes will be key to
making Energize Africa a
success.” While Ambassador Dr John N. Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy,
U.S. Department of State congratulated the AUDA-NEPAD CEO on the
launch of Energize Africa. He concurred with Ms Bekele-Thomas in
highlighting the fact that the initiative promises to mobilise young
people across the continent and to transform the public sector.
Elaborating on the context of Energize Africa in the African
Continental Free Trade Area, the Secretary General of the AfCFTA
Secretariat, Wamkele Mene said that “The African Continental Free
Trade Area offers opportunities for seamless access to new markets,
particularly in digital technologies.” The importance of strengthening
relations between the private and public sectors in creating a
brighter future for Africa’s youth was expounded on by Dr James
Mwangi, CEO Equity Bank, who committed to also championing Energize
Africa with AUDA-NEPAD. In addition, Messages of support for Energize
Africa were also received from Jean Van Wetter, Director General of
the Belgian Development Agency and Sebastian Ashong-Katai from
Ecobank. The successful launch of Energize Africa concluded with the
unanimous acknowledgement that youth are partners for the sustainable
development, peace, and prosperity of Africa, with a unique
contribution to make to the continent’s present and future
development, continental leaders added.