For the continent to reap demographic dividends, especially in the transformation of its economy, African governments in collaboration with a private sector and Civil Society Organsations (CSOs) should throw the weight behind investing in human capital development.
Addressing delegates of the Africa Human Capital Heads of State summit held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan said quality of education as one of the areas that African member states should focus on.
Currently, she added, African young people are dying on the ocean as they cross to Europe to search for greener pastures as she called for collaborative efforts to reverse the situation saying: “They will get a better life here in Africa if we invest.”
Additionally, the Head of State said that unlocking human capital potential is both moral obligation and important economic requirement hence it is a right time for public, private sector as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to come together to ponder on the needed investment and enabling environment for Africa’s human capital to flourish.
“A big number of youths we have is an opportunity for economic transformation…We must ensure that we exploit the resources,” he said.
She said since there is no alternative to human capital development tangible plans to ensure the resources is well exploited for the betterment of the continent.
“The Time is now, it is possible, let’s play our part for the development of Africa,” she concluded.
Elaborating on education, President Samia told the Summit’s participants that investing in childhood education is an important aspect that should be given top priority.
President Samia suggested that the continent shouldn’t only inject more funds in education but also examine learning outcomes to see whether expected goals are being attained or not.
“We need to improve teaching methodologies, curriculums and usage of technology in teaching,” she emphasized.
She said that managing fertility rates is another issue that should be addressed, saying African countries should prioritise on sexual reproductive health and supportive systems to youths.
On her part, the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa Dr Victoria Kwakwa said without navigating the human capital crisis successfully, African societies and economies there is a risk being trapped in a detrimental cycle of stagnant growth, soaring poverty rates, and increasing inequality.
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