By; Emmanuel Kyengo
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on the private sector to take a central role in empowering Africa’s youth, noting that the continent’s young population presents both a great opportunity and a pressing challenge.
Speaking on Monday, September 8, in Nairobi during the official opening of the Africa Employers’ Summit 2025, Kindiki said forecasts show Africa’s population under 35 years will surpass one billion by 2063.
Current estimates already place the number of young people aged 15–35 at more than 400 million, making Africa the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent.
“Lack of jobs and income opportunities ranks high among the challenges facing young people in Africa. Unlocking the transformative potential of business — not just for profit but to empower the youth — requires a new model of enterprise that embraces inclusivity, where women, youth, and persons with disabilities find meaningful participation and leadership,” he said.
The Deputy President outlined the Government’s efforts under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to translate policy into practical opportunities for young people.
He urged the private sector to mainstream government-led strategies such as the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme, which targets women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Kindiki further encouraged businesses to expand opportunities for internships, dual training, and on-the-job training to bridge the gap between academia and the job market.
“By guiding the relevance and appropriateness of our training programmes at both Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and university level, the private sector will help prepare graduates who are fit for the market,” he noted.
