UNDP’s Gomera on how to address human capital development challenges

Africa's young population is often touted as the continent's greatest resource, holding the key to prosperity in a rapidly evolving global economy. However, the reality has not fully aligned with this potential. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Maxwell Gomera, the UNDP Resident Representative in Rwanda, shed light on the challenges hindering the development of the continent's human capital and outlined key strategies to address them. Gomera emphasized the critical need to create an enabling environment for youth to thrive, starting from the education system. He highlighted the importance of aligning curricula with the skills needed for the future job market to equip African youth for success. The lack of access to financing was identified as another significant barrier, with many young entrepreneurs struggling to secure funds for their ventures. Gomera also underscored the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among African youth, encouraging them to take ownership of solving pressing challenges in their communities while also creating economic opportunities for themselves. Recognizing the untapped potential of intra-Africa trade, Gomera emphasized the need to leverage initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to facilitate economic growth and job creation for the continent's youth. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness about these opportunities and addressing infrastructure barriers, such as expensive broadband, that hinder young people's ability to thrive in the digital economy. Gomera also discussed the upcoming YouthConnekt Africa summit in Rwanda, which aims to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs to connect, innovate, and attract investment. By fostering a supportive ecosystem for youth-led businesses, the summit seeks to empower African youth to drive economic growth and sustainable development on the continent. With a focus on collaboration, mentorship, and access to finance, initiatives like YouthConnekt Africa are instrumental in unlocking Africa's human capital potential and creating a brighter future for the next generation.