Africa's Coming Disruption: How the Continent's Youth can Change its Destiny from Promise to Prosperity

Africa’s future, it seems, is promising. However, a large and young population does not automatically translate into economic growth and prosperity – it needs to be cultivated. Young people need to be empowered. While the continent has achieved remarkable success in providing primary education to its youth, it has often failed to equip them for a world evolving at tremendous speed. Once educated, the youth need opportunities. Failure to create these opportunities will pose an existential threat. As cities burgeon with young people unable to find gainful employment, despair and frustration will grow, eventually boiling over into unrest and violence. Africa’s greatest asset could very easily become a liability. Lack of opportunity at home will also push people to other parts of the world in search of a better life. The treacherous journeys many undertake, and the horrors they often face, underscore the urgency of the issue. Some will succeed; many will not.