A lack of jobs and disillusion with political leaders may form a “toxic brew”, driving more young Africans to migrate or join violent extremist groups, billionaire philanthropist Mo Ibrahim’s foundation said on Friday.
Africa’s booming young population could destabilise countries throughout the continent and challenge economic growth if young people are not provided with education and job opportunities, said the report published this week.
The continent’s young population will almost double to 452 million by 2050, from 230 million in 2015, and one in two Africans will be under the age of 25, according to the report.
Many young people could be drawn towards escalating militant violence in Africa and rising migration to Europe via the Mediterranean, said Richard Murray of the foundation.
“Engaging young people will determine the future of the more than 2.4 billion people who will live on the continent in 2050.”
Observers from investment bankers to management consultants say Africa will reap a “demographic dividend” in the future as its bulging youth population drives innovation and consumer markets, as happened in Asia in decades past.
Yet, while Africa’s commodity boom over the past decade has seen the continent’s real gross domestic product grow at an annual average of 4.5%, few jobs have been created and youth unemployment levels have remained high, the report said.
Frustration is also growing among young people when it comes to politics, with youth voter turnout declining and scepticism about politicians growing, despite an increase in free and fair elections throughout Africa, according to the foundation. “Africa stands at a tipping point.”
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
