Minister Makamba urges Nordic countries to invest in African youth
What you need to know:
- Africa has a young population, with over 60 percent of its people under 25 years old, making it a region full of youthful energy and potential
Dar es Salaam. The minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, has urged Nordic countries to use existing cooperation opportunities with Africa to invest in the continent's human resources.
Mr Makamba made the statement when speaking at the Nordic-Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
According to the World Economic Forum, Africa has a young population, with over 60 percent of its people under 25 years old, making it a region full of youthful energy and potential.
Mr Makamba said the increased participation of African leaders in the meeting is sufficient evidence of the desire to promote productive cooperation between the Nordic countries and Africa.
He said many young Africans have been migrating to Europe to look for greener pastures, where they are facing numerous obstacles.
He noted that the permanent solution was to invest in the youngsters in their respective countries.
“It is good to ensure that young people get the knowledge and skills to help them where they are and later help in the development of Nordic countries following the capacity building they have received from you," noted Mr Makamba.
The argument was supported by other African leaders asking the Nordic countries to invest in Africa to reduce the expatriation of raw materials outside Africa and return finished products that are sold at higher costs.
