This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
Published on August 20, 2019, by Robert Shaw, a renowned author, this article highlights the challenges posed by Kenya's population growth and the need to convert the 'youth bulge' into a positive 'demographic dividend.'
With a population of approximately 48 million and growing at 1.25 million people annually, Kenya faces significant demands on its public health and education sectors. The country's population growth rate is around 2.9 per cent per annum, with the median age being 18 years and 60 per cent of Kenyans being 25 years or below.
According to Shaw, Kenya's economic growth must be in excess of 7 per cent per annum to bend the curve of poverty. This requires a conducive and proactive operating environment, which can be achieved by significantly reducing corruption, which robs the country of around 3 per cent annual economic growth each year.
Shaw emphasizes the need to reshape and re-equip the education system to meet the demands and skills the country needs. This includes sponsoring programs that will assist and re-equip youth to attain the skills the market is looking for tomorrow, next year, and beyond.
Furthermore, Shaw highlights the need to address the gaps and deficiencies in Kenya's economy, such as the country's reliance on imports and the need to become more self-sufficient in food production. He also emphasizes the importance of reviving the country's sugar industry, which has been struggling due to dilapidated factories.
