BUSINESS SKILLS KEY FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN EAST AFRICA

BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA

 

Digital technologies and entrepreneurship skills will address unemployment for the youth in the East African bloc.

This emerged as the region's young generation marked the International Youth Day 2022 in Arusha on Friday.

"Youth unemployment can be addressed through digital skills training and entrepreneurship", said Joyce Abalo Kimaro, a programme officer with GIZ Support to the East African Community (EAC).

She added; "Without embracing the youth, inclusive regional integration and economic empowerment cannot be achieved".

GIZ will focus its support  to youth unemployment  through capacity building around entrepreneurship and innovation transfer for young people.

The event, marked at the EAC headquarters, was organized by the Community in collaboration with the East African Youth Network (EAYN).

Themed “Intergenerational Solidarity: Strengthening Youth Engagement in the EAC Integration Process”, it  brought together youth representatives from the region.

Ms Kimaro urged the EAC partner states to develop stronger links of the education sector with the private sector to promote youth employability.

Addressing the gathering, EAC deputy secretary general (Productive and Social Sectors) Christophe Bazivamo said youth formed a critical part of the population.

They constitute over 68 percent of the total population or approximately 140 million of about 280 million people in the bloc.

“It is therefore important for young people to be involved and to participate in the issues that will form an integral part of the future of this region,” he said.

He lauded the formation of the EAYN, saying the body will complement efforts being made by the EAC secretariat on youth development.

He challenged the youth to explore the opportunities and develop businesses "that will tap the growing regional markets especially in ICT".

On his part, Mr. Jarc Tusiime, the Regional Coordinator of EAYN, said that EAC's population was among the youngest in the world with over 60 percent below 35 years of age.

He said there were immense opportunities  in the fields of tourism, energy, agriculture and ICT that the youth in the region can be utilized.

Dr. Irene Isaka, the EAC director of Social Service said youth development initiatives should aim at bridging the digital divide in the region.