Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Dr. Wilfred Ochan, Country Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has emphasized the urgent need for strategic investment in Africa’s youth to unlock the continent’s full economic potential.
Speaking at the Youth Prosperity Dialogue, part of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues held on 4th-6thFebruary2026 in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Ochan highlighted that Africa’s demographic profile presents both immense responsibility and unparalleled opportunity.
With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, and Ghana hosting over 11 million young citizens (38.2% of the national population), Dr. Ochan stressed that a demographic dividend is not automatic but must be actively cultivated through sustained investment by governments, civil society, and development partners. He quoted United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, saying “young people are the leading edge of the challenges and opportunities of our world.”
Dr. Ochan emphasized empowering young entrepreneurs, particularly in the SME sector, which has the potential to create 50 million jobs by 2030. However, he highlighted challenges, including Africa’s $331 billion financing gap for SMEs, and stressed the need to bridge skills-to-market mismatches by expanding digital trade infrastructure, enabling innovators in Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg, and beyond to trade seamlessly across the continent.
He commended Ghana’s government for its robust policy architecture and youth-focused initiatives, such as the Youth Scaling Program, which equips young entrepreneurs and artisans with market-oriented skills, and the revised National Service Authority Act of 2024, which strengthens employability and professional readiness through initiatives like the Work Readiness and Leadership Program. Ghana’s efforts to develop the National Youth Peace and Security Action Plan, aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2250, were also recognized.
Dr. Ochan emphasized that true prosperity requires addressing systemic barriers that limit young people’s opportunities to innovate and participate fully in national and continental development. He called for ensuring youth voices are meaningfully integrated into policymaking, national development plans, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Ochan urged participants to translate dialogue into action, saying, “From the dreams and aspirations of young people, the market arrives. But it is their capacities that will ensure Africa’s trade truly happens. Together, we must ensure that AfCFTA and Africa’s growth fulfill the promise of a prosperous, integrated, and self-reliant continent.”
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
