The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has called on African governments to prioritize youth empowerment to fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to drive inclusive economic growth and regional integration.
Speaking at a high-level forum titled “Making the AfCFTA Work for African Young People: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward”, UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete stressed the importance of including Africa’s youth—who comprise 60% of the population—in shaping policy and driving economic development.
“We are confronted with serious and persistent challenges. Empowering young people is essential, not only to address these issues today but to prepare the next generation to lead solutions in the future,” Gatete said.
He noted that despite the continent’s economic potential, Africa continues to grapple with widespread poverty, energy deficits, and limited digital access. “Some 476 million people remain in poverty, 600 million lack access to electricity, and only 37% of Africans are connected to the internet,” he said.
Gatete emphasized that the AfCFTA could be a transformative tool to alleviate these conditions by expanding intra-African trade, promoting industrialization, and creating jobs, especially for youth.
Echoing his sentiments, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Youth Affairs, Muna Ahmed, underscored the critical role young Africans must play in realizing the AfCFTA’s potential.
“The AfCFTA is a historic opportunity to unlock the immense capabilities of Africa’s youth by expanding market access, encouraging innovation, and enabling sustainable employment,” she said.
The AfCFTA, which came into effect in 2021, is one of the flagship initiatives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming to create the world’s largest single market and accelerate regional trade and integration.
