Africa’s Youth: From a Burden to a Powerhouse

 

The 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C. provided a defining moment for Africa’s development narrative. At the centre of this year’s dialogue was Dr Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), who led the Bank’s delegation with a clear message: “Africa’s youth are not a burden to manage; they are the engine of our continent’s future.”

His remarks captured growing momentum behind the idea that Africa’s greatest resource is its people. With the continent’s population projected to double by 2050, and over 60 percent under the age of 25, the stakes are high. The AfDB president called on global leaders to rethink traditional aid and investment models that treat youth unemployment as a crisis rather than an opportunity.

At the Washington meetings, Dr Ould Tah joined the World Bank’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs to discuss how development finance can better support job creation and economic inclusion. He outlined three core priorities: investing in the right skills for the youth-led economy, formalising Africa’s vast informal labour market, and expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These sectors, he argued, are essential for turning Africa’s demographic boom into sustainable economic growth.

The AfDB is already implementing this vision through its Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative, which has mobilised more than 105 billion US dollars and aims to create 19 million jobs by the end of 2025. This programme focuses on equipping young Africans with employable skills, expanding access to credit, and supporting entrepreneurship in emerging sectors such as agriculture, technology, and renewable energy.

Dr Ould Tah’s emphasis on formalising the informal economy addresses a long-standing structural challenge. More than 80 percent of Africa’s workforce operates outside the formal sector, leaving millions without social protection or pathways for advancement. Bringing these workers into the formal economy could unlock new sources of productivity, expand tax bases, and improve access to finance and social security.

The Bank’s leadership also reflects a broader strategic realignment. Under Dr Ould Tah, the AfDB is focusing on four “cardinal points”: mobilising capital at scale, deepening regional integration, promoting industrialisation, and investing in human capital and technology. Together, these priorities are meant to position Africa as an active participant in global value chains rather than a peripheral supplier of raw materials.

The message resonated across Washington, where development partners acknowledged the need for policy reform and partnership to match financial commitments. The AfDB’s strategy signals a shift in how the international community perceives Africa—not merely as a continent in need, but as a frontier of opportunity driven by its youthful population.

Still, the path ahead remains complex. Implementation will demand collaboration between governments, development partners, and private investors. Ensuring that new jobs are not only numerous but also decent and inclusive will be key. Skills training must align with market demand, and youth-led businesses will need sustained investment and mentorship.

The AfDB’s leadership at the 2025 Annual Meetings underscores that Africa’s development story is changing direction. By recognising its youth as innovators, creators, and leaders, the continent is repositioning itself for long-term growth. As Dr Ould Tah reminded global partners, Africa’s young people are not a problem to solve—they are the foundation on which the future will be built.

By Development News Desk