Djibouti’s Dawaleh on why there should be a greater focus on Africa's youth

The Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit recently concluded, bringing together leaders across the continent to focus on investing in people as a core driver of productivity, resilience, and growth. In a conversation with CNBC Africa, Djibouti's Minister Of Economy, Finance and Planning, IIlas Moussa Dawaleh shared insights on why there should be a greater focus on Africa's youth. The Minister highlighted Djibouti's proactive approach towards human capital development, stressing the critical importance of investing in the continent's young population. With over 70% of each African country's population being under 30 years old, the Minister emphasized the need for strategic investments in education, vocational training, early schooling, and healthcare to ensure a prosperous future for the continent. The transcript reveals how Djibouti has made significant progress in human capital development despite limited resources, with exponential growth in the number of medical professionals and educational institutions over the past few decades. Minister Dawaleh emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in addressing healthcare challenges and investing in specific areas of expertise collectively in the Horn of Africa region. The Minister also underscored the importance of global partnerships and financial commitments to drive human capital development, with a particular focus on vocational schools. The Dar es Salaam declaration, expected to be announced soon, will play a crucial role in securing commitments from political leaders, development partners, and the international community to prioritize youth development and harness the demographic dividend in Africa.