Story by: Gilbert Borketey Boyefio
Midrand, South Africa: The Chief Executive Officer of the African Peer Review Mechanism Continental Secretariat, H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, has called on the Pan-African Parliament and other AGA Platform Members to support the APRM proposal for the next African Governance Report (AGR) to focus on Youth in Governance.
Youth inclusion in African governance is crucial due to the continent’s youthful population, but faces challenges like underrepresentation and limited participation in decision-making processes. Meaningful inclusion requires a shift from viewing youth solely as beneficiaries to recognizing them as stakeholders with agency in shaping policies and programs. This involves ensuring their presence, voice, and visibility in governance structures and processes.
A June 2025 Paper by the Africa Development Bank entitled: “Unlocking Energy, Jobs and Opportunity for Africa’s Growing Young Population”; indicates that Africa has the world’s fastest growing, and youngest, population. More than 60% of the people are under 25 years of age. Also, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa data indicates that Africa’s youth population is expected to grow by 138 million in the next 25 years.
In her solidarity message during the official opening ceremony of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, observed that youth empowerment and youth unemployment is a matter of life and death. “As Ambassador Bankole said last week: “We have to give a special attention to our youth, If not it is a time bomb.” Lack of jobs and opportunities for youth can lead to social unrest, as shown by the civil uprisings and protests on the continent and elsewhere”.
She disclosed that the APRM shall be submitting to the AGA Platform of which PAP is an important member a proposal for the Africa Governance Report (AGR) 2027 to focus on Youth in Governance. She said the theme “From Promise to Prosperity” recognises Africa’s youth as the cornerstone of sustainable development, democratic governance and economic prosperity.
Youth Employment and Skills Development
The APRM is not alone in pushing for the prioritization of youth voices and initiatives, as other Organs of the African Union, such as the AUDA-NEPAD, have been proactive in empowering the youth of Africa.
The AUDA-NEPAD has intensified investments in skills, entrepreneurship, and employability through the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA). The organization has invested EUR 100 million across 48 TVET projects, tailored to local market demand.
H.E. Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA NEPAD, acknowledged that Africa’s collective prosperity depends on the youth inclusion in the economy.
She pointed out that another initiative, the Energize Africa initiative, is equipping youth with critical digital and green skills, supported by the Africa Critical Skills Bank (ACSB)—a real-time labour intelligence tool. Initial focus areas include agro-processing and infrastructure.
“Our Digital Transformation programmes, supported by EUR 66 million, aim to unlock 230 million emerging digital job opportunities through foundational skills, entrepreneurship incubation, and connectivity access.
Additionally, we launched the WorldSkills Africa Desk, fostering continental collaboration on technical and vocational excellence,” she disclosed.
