Ivan Atuyambe (AfCFTA YouthMan)

Ivan Atuyambe (AfCFTA YouthMan)

This article by Ivan Atuyambe (AfCFTA YouthMan) profoundly captures the essence of a generational challenge and opportunity. As the council, we wholeheartedly agree with the assertion that Africa’s young entrepreneurs are not just job seekers but job creators, driving innovation and addressing systemic challenges through their resilience and creativity.

The Council recognizes that despite their enormous potential, young entrepreneurs in Africa face significant hurdles, as he has eloquently outlined: limited access to capital, systemic biases, inadequate mentorship, and restrictive regulatory frameworks. These are real barriers that stifle the growth of promising ideas, preventing them from scaling and contributing to economic transformation. However, we must emphasize that addressing these challenges is not just a moral obligation but a strategic imperative for the sustainable development of Africa.

What is the Council Doing?

The Council is committed to creating an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs thrive and lead. In alignment with the vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, we focus on equipping youth entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to expand their businesses across borders.

The Council has championed initiatives such as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, adopted by the African Union Heads of State, to promote youth-friendly trade policies, simplify customs procedures, and create a supportive business environment for cross-border trade. Additionally, it amplifies youth voices by including them in decision-making processes and creating platforms like the Youth Dome to foster dialogue, celebrate innovation, and shape policies that empower youth to lead Africa’s economic transformation.

A Call to Action

We echo Ivan’s call to “walk side by side” with young African entrepreneurs. The Council believes this requires a multi-stakeholder approach where governments, the private sector, and civil society collaborate to dismantle systemic barriers and build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

While the resilience of young African entrepreneurs is commendable, resilience alone is not enough. They need tangible support, streamlined policies, access to affordable capital, and opportunities for cross-border trade. The Council remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that Africa’s young entrepreneurs are not just participants in trade but leaders in transforming the continent’s economic landscape. We just need financial support to continue this work.

Let us work together to empower the agents of change already shaping Africa’s future. As Ivan rightly points out, “Africa’s young people are not waiting for change; they are driving it.” It is our collective duty to stand with them, remove obstacles, and create pathways for their success. Together, we can achieve a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.