AAYC 2025
Despite the biased narratives, Africa’s development 50 years after colonialism is phenomenal: There have been significant strategic investments in transport, energy, water, and information and Communication Technology. Africa has achieved a steady expansion of access to electricity with current coverage of approximately 44% of its total surface area, rising intra-African exports, and rapid development of modern cities. Furthermore, Africa’s numerous blessings in the form of its natural resources and biodiversity, its expanding industrial cover, and scientific discoveries offer multiple opportunities for trade, entrepreneurship, and employment. There is a great need to accompany young African people to maximize the opportunities for socio-economic development available in Africa and develop the continent into the prosperous and secure place they want it to be, as expressed in the African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
To achieve this, young people must invest in changing the narrative about Africa in ways that erase the false negative picture of the continent to the rest of the world and replace it with the truth about its beauty, growth, and development opportunities for its people. Accompanied by efforts transforming corrupt and unjust social, economic, and political systems and structures, this will accelerate the continent’s achievement of its holistic and sustainable development. In addition, such efforts will not only affirm the young people’s confidence and potential to grow, develop, and flourish in Africa but also promote the dignity and prestige of African people.
