President Paul Kagame has urged African leaders to increase investments in education systems that align with labor market demands to harness the continent’s demographic dividend of young people. He emphasized the need to equip African youth with skills in science and technology to create a path for sustainable development and economic growth.
Speaking at the Continental Forum on Education and Youth Employability in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on December 10, Kagame stressed the importance of building stronger education systems. The forum, organized by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with UNICEF, convened African and global leaders, including President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban.
Kagame highlighted the economic benefits of education, stating that each additional year of schooling can increase earnings by 10%. He noted that many young Africans risk their lives seeking better opportunities abroad, a situation that underscores the urgent need for African governments to provide youth with viable opportunities at home.
“Africa is our common home, and we must ensure that every African has a future in this continent,” Kagame asserted, calling for strategic resource allocation to empower young people with relevant skills for socioeconomic transformation. He emphasized that partnerships and a sense of ownership are crucial for achieving this goal, cautioning against reliance on external support.
“It is Africa’s responsibility to better manage our resources. Relying on external support alone is not a realistic strategy,” Kagame said. He stressed that Africa has the capacity to make the right choices and take charge of its education agenda, which could make the continent more appealing for global partnerships.
The two-day forum aims to evaluate progress made by AU member states in fulfilling international commitments on education, particularly the Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) and the Continental Strategy on Education for Africa. Kagame’s message serves as a call to action for African countries to prioritize education, upskill youth, and build a self-reliant continent with strong global partnerships.