NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 22 – Kenya’s youthful population, economic transformation and Africa’s growing role in the global economy have taken centre stage at the Unstoppable Africa forum in New York.

📻 Breaking It Down

The high-level gathering, organised by the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) under the United Nations Global Compact, is being held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The forum has brought together Heads of State, business leaders, investors, policymakers, UN officials, entrepreneurs and other influential players to discuss Africa’s economic future.

Among the Kenyan participants is legal and policy expert Silas Jakakimba, who has taken part in GABI discussions for the past four years.

📌 What You Need to Know

This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Powering Business to Scale Economies and Shape the Future,” with discussions focusing on how investment and business can accelerate economic growth across Africa.

Jakakimba has used the platform to highlight the potential of Africa’s youthful population, natural resources and expanding markets, while emphasising the need to connect these assets with investment, technology, entrepreneurship and value creation.

“Africa must harness its youthful population, abundant natural resources and rapidly expanding markets to become a global powerhouse for innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth,” he said.

The discussions come as African countries seek to move beyond their traditional role as exporters of raw materials and position themselves as destinations for investment, manufacturing, innovation and value addition.

For Kenya, the youth question remains central to this transformation, given the country’s large young population and the growing demand for jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and access to technology.

Jakakimba said Africa needs to create an environment where young people can become creators of businesses, technologies and solutions rather than remaining consumers or exporters of talent.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya