Sammy Gyamfi calls for greater investment in Africa’s youth to unlock continent’s potential

The Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026 estimates that Africa is home to about 532 million young people aged 15 to 35, and that the continent’s youth population will continue rising through the 2070s,” he said.

Addressing participants at the EMY Africa – Africa Rising Symposium in London on Thursday, July 30, Mr Gyamfi described Africa’s young population as one of its greatest assets, saying the continent’s future would depend largely on how effectively it equips and empowers its youth.

Citing the Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026, he noted that Africa is home to about 532 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35, with that number expected to continue growing over the coming decades.