Africa rising will happen with a robust investment in education!!

A vast number of people ardently wish for Africa to realize its full potential, and prioritizing action in this direction is essential for this and future generations. The alternative paints a daunting picture for millions.

As Adil Aboobakar, CFA, rightly points out in one of his posts, the challenge lies in garnering political goodwill. Africa is in dire need of visionary leaders akin to the likes of Lee Kwan Yew and Nelson Mandela.

I firmly believe that for Africa to reach its potential, a robust investment in education is paramount. This investment should span across all stages of life - from infancy to adulthood. It encompasses primary, secondary, tertiary, technical, and vocational training, but also extends to instilling civic and ethical values in politicians, civil servants, clergy, and entrepreneurs. The inclusion of Mathematics and Financial literacy in the curriculum is non-negotiable.

The latest State of Global Education Update reports that nearly 9 out of 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot read and comprehend a simple text by the age of 10. This is a worrying statistic as education directly impacts this generation’s ability to secure jobs and contribute to future economic growth.

If we fail to integrate millions of children and youth into productive activities, particularly in a global economy that's increasingly reliant on knowledge and digital skills, we might face a grim reality. By 2030, it is estimated that over 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills. The absence of these skills could lead to social unrest, a predicament no policymaker would want to confront.

We must focus on equipping our younger generations with the tools they need for a bright future. It's a substantial task, but the reward is an empowered Africa, ripe with opportunity and promise.

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