This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
Harnessing Youth Exuberance for Kenya's Growth ¶
Published on August 13, 2019, by XN Iraki
Kenya's youth exuberance is an underrated national asset that can propel the country's growth and development. The energy and excitement of the youth can be harnessed to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic progress.
According to a recent article, the youth's exuberance can be a double-edged sword. While it can lead to irrational behavior, such as joining gangs or abusing substances, it can also be channeled into positive outcomes, such as starting businesses and creating employment opportunities.
Studies have shown that immigrant youth, driven by their exuberance, are more likely to start new enterprises and create jobs. In Kenya, the youth's exuberance has led to the growth of small businesses, which create over 83% of employment opportunities.
However, the article notes that modern youths are less exuberant than in the past, and this attitude towards the youth has dragged Africa's economic growth. Instead of harnessing the youthful exuberance, the country destroys it.
Experts argue that if every industry and sector embraced the exuberance of the youth, the country would reap significant benefits. By packaging the youth's exuberance well, advertisers can tap into the energy and excitement of the youth, making them a valuable asset for the country's growth.
As the article concludes, 'If every industry and sector embraced the exuberance of the youth in the same way, see them as a national asset? Any time I visit the West, particularly North America, I am impressed by the exuberance of the youth.'
By harnessing the youth's exuberance, Kenya can achieve Vision 2030 well ahead of time and become a leading economy in Africa.
