Six decades later: Why is the African Union relevant to young people on the continent?

By: Yolokazi Mfuto

In April 2019, I was invited to participate in the 2nd Pan African Youth Forum held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In the opening plenary debate, we presented the relevance of the African Union for young people in the continent. More than five years later, as I reflect, I believe the union could do much more to resonate with the youth.

African Union (AU) is a continental organisation with fifty-five member states whose goals are to coordinate and increase collaboration for development while fostering unity and solidarity among African nations. The institution was re-established in July 2002 in Durban, South Africa. It succeeded the Organisation of African Unity, created on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Africa is known to be home to a very youthful population; the continent has more than four hundred million young people between the ages of 15 and 35, making it the continent with the youngest population in the world. With such a young population, a  robust financial muscle must be invested in social and economic development strategies to raise the development index of African countries.

At the continental level, the AU has established several youth development policies and initiatives to ensure the continent reaps the benefits of its demographic dividend. The AU Agenda 2063 programs are used to conduct the policies, which include the Youth Decade Plan of Action, the African Youth Charter, and the Malabo Decision on Youth Empowerment.

AU member states have been advised to use the African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE) 2019–2023 as a strategic framework to help them execute youth empowerment policies and activities. Therefore, by addressing key issues faced by young people across the continent, the strategy hopes to maximize their potential as critical agents of sustainable development.

Youth Empowerment and Development Programs:

The AU offers several programs designed to give youth more influence. The goal of projects like the African Young Decade Plan of Action, the Youth Division of the Department of Human Resources, Science, and Technology, and the establishment of the African Youth Charter is to improve young leadership, employment prospects, and educational chances.

Economic Opportunities and Employment:

To change Africa’s economy, the AU’s Agenda 2063 calls for encouraging youth entrepreneurship and opening job possibilities. Initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aim to increase economic activity, may provide supplementary work opportunities for young people.

Through several policies and initiatives, the AU places a high priority on education and skill development. Programs like the Pan African University and scholarships for young Africans aim to increase access to high-quality education and training, preparing the next generation of leaders.

Some key focus areas that member states can focus on are as follows.

Education and Skills Development

There is a need to improve access to quality education and training opportunities for young people on the continent.  Many are migrating to Europe, America, and Asia for better education. This is also fueled by the fact that education curricula in African states is below what the market requires and does not ensure relevant skills development. Furthermore, there is a severe need to elevate and promote the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) streams of education. This will also ensure that African states are capacitated.

Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship

Unemployment is a critical phenomenon that inhibits the continent’s development. The continent has about 7% unemployment rate, while South Africa is on 32 % of unemployment rate. There is a dire need to promote job creation, and employability enhancement through skills development and vocational training.  as well as fostering innovation and access to finance for youth-led businesses.

Governance, Peace, and Security

60% of the population in Africa is young people; however, scores of young people have been evaded from participating in mainstream politics. the youth participate actively in political and civic spaces. There is a need for a strengthened leadership that represents young people in decision-making.

Human Rights and Social Inclusion

It is crucial that the rights of young people, including vulnerable groups, are protected. There is still a massive gap in the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination. Lastly, there is a need to garner support for initiatives that promote social cohesion and cultural integration. It should be fashionable for young Africans to aspire to travel to other African countries and learn about various cultures and languages.

The strength of any region lies not only lies not only in its economy but also in its population. Therefore, the African Union must capitalize on the youth by integrating their participation in the broad scheme of the continent’s development. As much as young people are 60% of the population today, there will be 100% of the future.

Yolokazi Mfuto is a communications strategist at the DDP and writes in her personal capacity.