Empowering Africa's youth: UNDP's innovative initiatives

On the side-lines of the Youth Connect Summit held in Rwanda, CNBC Africa's Derrick Muhangi engaged in a riveting conversation with Ahunna Eziakonwa, the Assistant Administrator & Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at UNDP, shedding light on the organization's innovative skilling programs, strategic private sector partnerships, and future plans to combat youth unemployment. Eziakonwa emphasized UNDP's commitment to fostering job-rich economic growth across the continent. She acknowledged that while Africa has witnessed significant economic growth, it has unfortunately not translated into substantial job creation, particularly for the youth. UNDP aims to bridge this gap by empowering the continent's talented, educated, and tech-savvy young population. By nurturing entrepreneurship, leveraging technology, and facilitating access to capital, UNDP's initiatives like YouthConnect and the newly launched Health Tech Hub aim to provide young people with the tools and opportunities to realize their ambitions and contribute to Africa's development. Eziakonwa highlighted the critical role of the private sector in driving sustainable development, emphasizing the need for public-private partnerships to mobilize resources for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for private sector investments and mitigating perceived risks to attract investors. Addressing the significant investment required to address energy poverty in Africa, Eziakonwa called for collaboration between investors, governments, and development institutions to undertake large-scale projects. Looking ahead, Eziakonwa expressed optimism about the future of Africa's youth, citing their talent, confidence, and commitment to solving development challenges. She commended the young entrepreneurs driving change and innovation, envisioning a future where prosperity is shared and inclusive. Eziakonwa's unwavering belief in the potential of Africa's youth underscores UNDP's dedication to nurturing a generation of competent and visionary leaders poised to shape a brighter future for the continent.