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Former Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has called on young Africans to take an active role in shaping the continent’s future economy, stressing the importance of innovation, collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
Osinbajo made the remarks during the West Africa Youth Symposium, hosted on Friday, March 13, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown. The event was organized by Future Perspectives in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
The high-level engagement brought together about 100 young leaders from across the region to deliberate on the theme, “Who Will Own Africa’s Next Economy?” The symposium aimed to inspire youth to become key drivers in Africa’s economic transformation.
During an interactive session moderated by Dr. Fatu Wurie, Osinbajo who is also a co-founder of Future Perspectives discussed critical issues including youth leadership, climate change, and expanding opportunities for young Africans.
Addressing participants, the former Nigerian vice president emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing the continent’s complex challenges, particularly climate change. He encouraged young people to view themselves as innovators and problem-solvers capable of contributing to sustainable development.
“Inclusivity is not just about gender; it is also about bringing different generations to the table,” Osinbajo stated, adding that experienced leaders and young innovators must work together to design effective solutions for Africa’s future.
The discussion also highlighted the persistent challenge young innovators face in accessing funding. Osinbajo noted that many global financial institutions tend to prioritize low-risk investments, making it difficult for emerging organizations to secure support.
To address this gap, he recommended the establishment of intermediary institutions that can help channel funding to grassroots innovators. He also urged African governments and the private sector to play a greater role in supporting youth-led initiatives.
“International funding alone will never be enough. Africa must also mobilize its own resources. The private sector on the continent needs to play a bigger role in supporting youth innovation,” he said.
Participants also learned about initiatives led by Future Perspectives aimed at expanding opportunities for African youth through training programs, innovation funding, and partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and Queen’s University.
The symposium concluded with a call for young people across West Africa to remain engaged in civic dialogue, hold leaders accountable, and continue developing innovative ideas that can drive economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.
