Absolutely loved moderating the panel on African Population Dividend: Youth as the Engine for Change at The Cambridge Union during the annual African Society of Cambridge University (ASCU) Africa Together Conference in late May 2026.
Together with Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA of Champs for Change, Dr. Abena Nyarkoa. PhD of the Nkunim Education Project, and Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh, Ph.D, we discussed Africa's demographic dividend which is very interesting when you look at the statistics.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30 and by 2050, one in four people on earth will be African. However, currently, nearly 72% of African youth are in informal, low-income work (ILO) while Mastercard data shows only 10% of jobs on the continent are formal.
Together with Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA of Champs for Change, Dr. Abena Nyarkoa. PhD of the Nkunim Education Project, and Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh, Ph.D, we discussed Africa's demographic dividend which is very interesting when you look at the statistics.
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30 and by 2050, one in four people on earth will be African. However, currently, nearly 72% of African youth are in informal, low-income work (ILO) while Mastercard data shows only 10% of jobs on the continent are formal.
So
the panel focused on what could turn this population growth into a
catalyst for change, rather than a crisis. We looked at education and
access, enterprise (SMEs) and the political and structural limits that
need to be addressed. The conversation has
stayed with me, and here are some key insights from the panellists in their own words:
"Many schools across Africa are still not equipped to recognise and support children with learning and developmental differences, such as autism and ADHD. When education systems are built around a single “standard” way of learning, children who learn differently can be misunderstood, excluded, or made to feel that they are the problem. We must move towards more inclusive schools where differences are understood, teachers are supported, and every child is given a fair opportunity to learn and thrive."
- Dr Abena Nyarkoa.
Thank you Michelle H., tamale elvis, Alla Gubara and the rest of the ATC team for this opportunity.
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Eralier in the day, I had the privilege and pleasure to meet Amb. Makoloo Maurice, Kenya's High Commissioner to the UK, at The Cambridge Union together with the rest of the Kenyan Society of Cambridge University, during the annual Africa Together Conference.
I also attended his panel discussion on Africa's place in a fragmenting world, hosted by Michelle H., the conference chair. The discussion centered on how African states are navigating geopolitical realignment, strategic competition, and diplomacy, amidst the shifting centres of global power.
I found the panel discussion, held together with H.E. Ms. Macenje Mazoka, Zambia's High Commissioner to the UK, and Adébissi Djogan, CEO of Public Affairs Africa, to be thought provoking.
***
Other highlights from the Conference:
With the Conference Chair, Michelle, who did a fantastic job with the ATC team to realise the conference!
There was a short Winnie Mandela film screening before the evening gala dinner.
I had a great time at the gala dinner.
Thanks for reading!