African youth push for fair trade opportunities

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Youth leaders have urged African governments and stakeholders to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) benefits young entrepreneurs rather than becoming a marketplace for foreign businesses.

Speaking at a youth forum in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on March 15, 2024, Pan African Youth Union (PYU) secretary general, Ahmed Bening Wiisichong, stressed the need for stronger advocacy and full participation of young people in AfCFTA’s implementation.

The forum, jointly organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the PYU, attracted over 200 youth representatives from business startups, the creative sector, gender and disability groups, and civil society organisations.

It was part of the ECA’s 57^th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development session, which focused on advancing AfCFTA’s implementation.

At that, Wiisichong warned that without proactive measures, AfCFTA could fail to create meaningful economic opportunities for Africa’s youth.

“We must move beyond discussions and ensure AfCFTA becomes a reality, with young people playing an active role,” he urged.

He also emphasised the need for skills development, financial access, and policy support to empower young entrepreneurs, particularly women.

Africa’s Youth: A key driver for AfCFTA

Africa has the world's youngest population with an estimated 400 million young people under 25.

ECA executive secretary, Clever Gatete, highlighted this as an economic advantage, stating, “Africa’s youth can drive innovation and economic growth. Their involvement in AfCFTA is critical to ensuring its success.”

He called on African governments to integrate youth voices into trade policies and improve access to technology, finance, and infrastructure to help them succeed.

Similarly, Ethiopia’s youth affairs state minister, Muna Ahmed, emphasised that proper implementation of AfCFTA could help address Africa’s high youth unemployment rates.

She noted that creating a youth-friendly trade environment would encourage young entrepreneurs to develop businesses in digital innovation, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Bridging the knowledge gap

Despite its promise, many young Africans lack awareness of AfCFTA and how to benefit from it.

Director of ECA regional integration and trade, Stephen Karingi, urged the youth to educate themselves about the trade agreement to stay relevant in Africa’s growing economic landscape.

Said Adejumobi, Director of Strategic Planning, Oversight, and Results at ECA, moderated the session and reinforced the importance of youth engagement.

“The future of Africa belongs to its youth. They must be at the centre of every major development initiative,” he said.

Call to action

The forum included panel discussions, experiences from young business owners and direct engagement with AfCFTA officials.

Participants agreed that youth inclusion in trade policies, financial support for startups, and digital transformation are essential to making AfCFTA work for young Africans.

As AfCFTA moves forward, youth leaders are urging governments, policymakers, and trade officials to prioritize Africa’s young people, not just as beneficiaries but as active participants shaping the continent’s economic future.

About AfCTA

AfCFTA is one of the flagship projects of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

It is a high-ambition trade agreement, with a comprehensive scope that includes critical areas of Africa’s economy, such as digital trade and investment protection, amongst other areas. By eliminating barriers to trade in Africa, the objective of the AfCFTA is to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and trade across all sectors of Africa’s economy.