African Union unveils new initiative to create opportunities for development of African youth

The African Union has launched a new initiative, One Million By 2021 Initiative, with a target to create direct opportunities for the development of youth in Africa so as to drive the full realization of Africa's Agenda 2063.

The new initiative by the pan African bloc mainly aims to "concretely reach millions of African youth from across the continent with opportunities and interventions in the key areas of employment, entrepreneurship, education and engagement (4E's), which will accelerate socioeconomic development on the continent," the African Union said as it launched the initiative on April 22.

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said while unveiling the new continental initiative that success of the initiative requires concerted efforts among African Union member states, pan-African institutions, as well as various other stakeholders.

"This initiative will seek to foster new approaches towards addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the youth on the continent," the African Union chairperson said. "It is my expectation that it will embolden various stakeholders to develop creative ideas and help build an ecosystem of efficiencies across the continent in furtherance of youth development," Faki said, adding "to achieve success, it is imperative that we pool our efforts and resources together, and I call upon all stakeholders to join me in this commitment to our future," as reported by Xinhua.

According to the African Union, the new youth-focused initiative builds upon the progress the African continent has been making in improving capacities through education and skills development, as well as creating conducive environments and opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the youth.

The initiative also aspires to "meaningfully engage the youth in the development agenda of the continent," the African Union said in a statement that followed the announcement. African Union also revealed 12 pathways as "drivers for the 4Es" towards facilitating the expansion of opportunities in youth development across the continent.

The 12 pathways include models for teacher development, mobilizing and catalyzing capital growth for youth-led start-ups, nurturing start-ups, skills transfer hubs, internships and apprenticeships, digital skills, job centres, digital skills, leadership programs and exchange programs, Xinhua noted.

The initiative will be officially launched on the April 24 at the African Union Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

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