Experts Warn Youth Growth Alone Won't Drive Africa's Economy

At the Africa Breakfast Conversations held on September 25, 2026, at the World Trade Center in New York City, Yasamin Alttahir, the Director of Global Marketing, Communications and External Affairs at The King’s Trust International, addressed the misconception that Africa's growing youth population would automatically lead to economic growth. Alttahir cautioned that without intentional systems, access to capital, and cross-border collaboration, the youth boom could become an economic burden.

Despite sub-Saharan Africa having over 60% of its population under 25, the region struggles to create sufficient formal jobs, with only 3 million jobs available for the 10 to 12 million young people entering the workforce each year. The panel, moderated by Claudine Moore, included Hackim Abdul from Citi and Otunba Bimbola Ashiru from Blackcod Group.

The discussion concluded with a call for structural changes, advocating for capacity-building partnerships rather than short-term youth empowerment programs to ensure sustainable economic growth across Africa.