Mr. Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has called for renewed commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stronger leadership in inclusive development across Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the African Leadership Forum in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday, Pedro warned that Africa’s future hinges on its ability to generate decent jobs for its growing youth population.
In a statement released by the ECA Communications Section, he highlighted a widening employment gap, noting that while 10 to 12 million young people enter the workforce each year, only around 3 million formal jobs are created annually.
“This gap is vast and growing,” Pedro said. “More than 76 million young Africans are currently neither in employment, education nor training. These figures reflect a systemic failure—one that requires a systemic solution.”
He warned that persistent youth unemployment poses a threat to peace and stability on the continent, stressing that without hope or opportunity, sustainable development cannot take root.
Pedro said job creation must lie at the heart of Africa’s growth agenda if the continent is to achieve long-term stability, transformation, and shared prosperity.
He urged African leaders to prioritise investment in education, energy, digital connectivity, and infrastructure—especially in marginalised communities. He also challenged the private sector to look beyond profit, and civil society to hold stakeholders accountable.
Calling for a new social compact anchored in inclusion and dignity, he said youth and women must be at the centre of policy development and labour market reforms.
Pedro reiterated the need to transition from commodity exports to value addition, regional integration, and economic resilience.
“Africa cannot realise its aspirations by merely exporting raw materials. We must accelerate structural transformation—from extraction to value addition, from fragmentation to integration, and from vulnerability to resilience,” he declared.
He cited the Congo-Zambia Special Economic Zone for electric vehicle battery production as a model for resource-based industrialisation.
Pedro also noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could boost intra-African trade by up to 45 per cent by 2045, provided that existing trade barriers are removed.
He stressed that integration must become tangible through better transport links, harmonised regional standards, and the ratification of trade protocols.
Pedro criticised the disconnect between Africa’s education systems and labour markets, noting that only 8 per cent of young people reach high-skilled employment goals.
He called for urgent reforms in technical education, curriculum development, and digital literacy to equip young people for the jobs of the future.
Highlighting ECA initiatives, he pointed to innovation hubs and entrepreneurial universities that support Africa’s next generation of inventors. He also advocated the establishment of centres of excellence in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and STEM fields, citing Kenya and Togo as pioneers.
Pedro emphasised the urgency of embracing emerging technologies, noting that Africa currently holds just 1 per cent of the global AI market.
He also identified the care economy—comprising health, education, and elder care—as a significant source of employment, particularly for women. He cited Rwanda and Ghana as countries linking healthcare delivery with entrepreneurship and skills development.
Acknowledging external pressures such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, Pedro said they often conflict with local development needs. He called for African-led ESG frameworks that balance energy access, job creation, and sustainability.
Concluding his remarks, Pedro said Africa does not need charity, but fair access to trade, technology, finance, and opportunity.
“Africa requires bold, evidence-based leadership—focused on action, not declarations—to build the truly leading continent we envision,” he said.
