This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
Published on July 4, 2019, by the Daily Nation, this article highlights the importance of Kenya's demographic dividend in driving economic growth and development.
The demographic dividend refers to the economic benefits that a country can reap when its working-age population surpasses the inactive part, leading to increased investments in education, health, and employment.
Kenya, with a fertility rate of 3.7, is still far from reaching the tipping point, where the working-age population surpasses the inactive part. However, the country is making efforts to front-load the realisation of the demographic dividend through strategic investments in employment, education, health, and youth empowerment.
One of the key initiatives is the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2018-2022), which aims to prioritise investments in the four key pillars of employment and entrepreneurship, education and skills development, health and well-being, and rights, governance, and youth empowerment.
The SDG Partnership Platform, established in September 2017, is another initiative that brings together leadership from government, UN, development partners, private sector, philanthropy, civil society, academia, and faith-based organisations to champion the delivery of SDG partnerships that catalyse investments and innovations to drive SDG impacts.
The outcomes of these initiatives are visible, with healthcare needs being assessed and primary and community-based healthcare strengthened in Kenya.
As the Netherlands moves from aid to trade, the country believes in the contribution of the private sector in achieving the SDGs and investing in the youthful population.
A health sector trade mission led by Dr Erik Gerritsen, Dutch vice-minister for Health, was held in Kenya from July 1-3, seeking partnerships with Kenyan counterparts to advance shared-value partnerships and create more health, education, and employment opportunities for young people.
