This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On November 11, 2019, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) organized the 23rd Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) meeting in Asmara, Eritrea, with the theme 'Leveraging new opportunities for regional integration in East Africa.'
As a private sector and youth participant, one topic that inspired me was 'Faster implementation of AfCFTA for job creation for the youth.'
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to create almost two million jobs, crucially benefiting African youth and women.
However, Africa has a high youth unemployment rate, and countries should equip their young people with the necessary skills for the jobs available.
One of the leading causes of unemployment in the white-collar segment is the mismatch between education and the labour market.
It is estimated that Africa imports over $500 billion worth of food annually, yet it is well-positioned to be the world's food basket.
Young Africans can feed the world by ensuring food security and value addition of agricultural produce, making agriculture the backbone of most African countries.
The youth can also benefit from the free movement of goods and services by exposing themselves to information and opportunities that will build them.
One of the biggest sectors in AfCFTA is services, where the youth can be employed or create jobs for themselves through technology.
Kenyan youth can partner with their peers from other African countries to register companies and win tenders from the government, NGOs, and the private sector.
For AfCFTA to be successful, we need to bring the private sector, women, and youth on board in all conversations and discussions as well as in policy formulation and advocacy.
Linda Chepkwony, a youth and women trade consultant, emphasizes the importance of simplifying information on AfCFTA so that the youth and women in the private sector can understand what it means to them and their businesses.
