Yemi Osinbajo Advocates for Youth-Led Economic Transformation in Africa

Yemi Osinbajo Advocates for Youth-Led Economic Transformation in Africa

Former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently addressed the West Africa Youth Symposium in Sierra Leone, urging the continent's youth to proactively define Africa’s future economic landscape. The event, hosted at the Miatta Civic Centre by Future Perspectives in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, convened approximately 100 young leaders to deliberate on "Who Will Own Africa’s Next Economy?"

During an interactive dialogue moderated by Fatu Wurie, Osinbajo emphasized the necessity of intergenerational collaboration to address critical issues such as climate change and sustainable development. He characterized inclusivity as a strategic imperative, requiring the integration of experienced leadership with youth-driven innovation. Addressing the structural barriers to progress, Osinbajo highlighted the difficulty young innovators face in securing capital from traditional global financial institutions, which often favor low-risk investments.

To mitigate these challenges, he proposed the establishment of intermediary funding bodies and called for increased domestic resource mobilization from African governments and the private sector. Furthermore, Osinbajo showcased Future Perspectives' initiatives—developed alongside partners like the UNDP—designed to empower youth through specialized training and innovation grants.

The symposium concluded with a strong mandate for young Africans to engage in civic accountability and develop localized solutions to ensure communal and national prosperity.