Africa SDG Week 2024 Begins with Emphasis on Youth Inclusion in the Process
As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline draws nearer, stakeholders at the NEF Africa SDGs Week emphasized the urgent need to engage Africa’s youth in driving sustainable development efforts. With only six years left to meet the 17 global goals, the forum called for immediate action to address the current stagnation in progress, particularly around youth issues.
Speaking today in Nairobi, Eng. Erick Ohaga, Director, Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development in NuPEA (Nuclear, Power and Energy Agency) underscored the significance of mobilizing youth to close the gaps in SDG implementation.
“Kenya must mobilize its youth effectively to accelerate progress on the SDGs. We have made strides, but there is still much to be done,” stated Ohaga.
Eng. Grace Nzivo, Next Einstein Forum Kenyan Ambassador and SDGs Week organiser emphasized the role of young people in the renewable energy sector, asserting,
“Young people must be at the forefront of renewable energy development, from solar to wind. Their inclusion is key to driving innovation and ensuring sustainable energy for all.”
Youth-led initiatives in manufacturing and agriculture were also spotlighted as pivotal for Kenya’s future growth. Experts at the event noted that innovation driven by young people in these sectors would propel the country’s industrial and economic development.
“There’s a clear desire among youth to be involved in shaping their future, especially in agriculture and innovation. It’s time for experts and organizations to include youth in every aspect of development planning,” added Nzivo.
The NEF Africa SDGs Week also saw collaboration with key partners, including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which continues to provide strategic support to initiatives like the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) across the continent.
With only six years left to conclude the SDGs, we must consolidate our efforts
to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. The participation of vulnerable
groups including youth and women, in SDG ecosystems needs to meet global
expectations.
As a key asset of the continent, the youth have a crucial role to play in
amplifying participation and contribution to achieving the SDGs
“There are 1.2 billion young people aged between 15 to 24 years, accounting for
16 per cent of the global population. By 2030—the target date for the SDGs the
number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 per cent, to nearly 1.3 billion.
The youths have already contributed to the resilience of their communities,
proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change. The youths are also agents of change, mobilizing to advance the SDGs
to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan
Africa under the age of 30. Such a high number of young people is an
opportunity for the continent’s growth – but only if these new generations are
fully empowered to realize their best potential.” Said Eng. Erick Ohaga, CE, FIEK Director of Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development Nuclear Power and Energy Agency.
It is especially important that young people are included in decision making
and given appropriate opportunities for work and to innovate. In Kenya the
youth constitute about 29 percent of the total population and they are the future
in all aspects of realizing the change we aspire.
The forum reinforced the idea that youth inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity if Africa is to meet its SDG goals by 2030.
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