The Young World: Turning Africa’s Population into Global Power | Naufal Ahmad

Demographic Opportunity & Challenges - The world is aging rapidly, except for Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Nigeria, presenting a unique demographic opportunity [1] - Nigeria's median age is 18, and Kaza's is even younger, indicating a potential for innovation and workforce development [1][2] - This demographic advantage presents both an opportunity and a challenge: the need to invest in education, healthcare, and skills to create a viable future workforce [2] Economic Transformation - There's a need to shift from an agrarian economy to a technology-driven, knowledge-based economy to leverage the young population [3] - Failure to capitalize on this demographic dividend will not only impact Nigeria and Africa but also the world, as the aging global population will rely on the younger generations for future doctors and engineers [3] Technological Advancement & Investment - The focus is shifting towards investing in connectivity, even in remote areas, recognizing it as the most important infrastructure in the current era [9] - A metropolitan area network of 27,000 meters has been built in less than two years, connecting important government offices and paving the way for fiber to homes, schools, and hospitals [10] Leadership & Empowerment - Leaders are beginning to trust young people with more opportunities to contribute ideas on leveraging the population to build a globally competitive economy [5] - The emphasis is on empowering young people to build, grow, and excel locally, rather than feeling the need to relocate to major global hubs [7] Overcoming Barriers & Fostering Innovation - Innovation has no borders, but opportunities often do, and efforts are being made to lower the barriers for young people to connect with mentors and access opportunities [11][12][13] - The message is that young people in Kazuna states, Northern Nigeria, and Africa are not too poor, disadvantaged, or late to start making a difference [13]