This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
June 12, 2020 - President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged his African counterparts to tap into the innovative abilities of the continent's youth as they roll out COVID-19 mitigation and recovery strategies.
The President emphasized that the youth are Africa's biggest resource, with their creative minds and immense energy capable of boosting Coronavirus response measures.
Speaking during the 5th virtual meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said, 'I also wish to reiterate that the biggest resource at our disposal is our own people and especially the youth.'
He added that the continent needs to harness the digital revolution and innovation witnessed during the pandemic as a catalyst for post-COVID-19 economic revival and job creation for the youth.
President Kenyatta commended the AU COVID-19 Special Envoys for their efforts in advancing Africa's COVID-19 agenda, mobilizing resources, and expanding access to COVID-19 response supplies.
The AU COVID-19 Special Envoys panel, constituted by the AU Bureau on April 12, comprises of Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Ivorian banker Tidjane Thiam.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala presented the envoys' report to the Bureau, highlighting the continent's efforts to consolidate a COVID-19 response kitty of $60 million and implement a stimulus package equivalent to 0.68% of the continent's GDP.
