This article was first published on Qazini.com Across different media channels, there has been constant optimism towards Africa’s economic growth. The persistent message is that Africa is the next global hotspot in terms of economic development and GDP growth. This is largely hinged on the continent’s vast mineral resources as well as a huge population that stands at over a billion, comprising mainly of youth (35 years and below). While Asian and BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) have dominated current global economic growth statistics, Africa is slowly but steadily warming up to take up the mantle. The situation on the ground According to the World Bank, SMEs account for 90% of all businesses, globally, providing more than 50% of job opportunities. For Africa to achieve her development aspirations, SMEs must be enabled to play this role more fervently. SMEs are faced with a myriad of challenges that have only been exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic. Some of these challenges are relatively new whereas others are as old as the African nations themselves that came into free and independent existence in the late 1950s – 1990s. Perhaps, a key thing to note is the widespread poverty on the continent, the underdeveloped infrastructural network, and costly energy resources. Additional newer and critical challenges like climate change, a stiff business climate, corruption, mounting international debt, fragile governance structures, and uncertain political leadership and institutions; as well as the newest challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic, have only made matters much harder for SMEs on the continent. Interestingly, the impact of the pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa seems to lean more towards the economic side than the healthcare side. As a matter of fact, Africa seems to have been somewhat spared, so far, from the severe impacts of the pandemic witnessed in other parts of the world. Despite this, our fragile African economies are poised for a harsh future, disproportionately so for women and youth. According to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Africa is likely to face hostile long term and short term economic effects best captured by: These effects are already taking root on the continent. Millions have lost their jobs and families are struggling to put food on the table. Many have turned to small businesses to survive. Yet, for the longest time, SMEs have faced funding challenges with banks and traditional financial institutions reluctant to finance them due to higher risks compared to larger, more established organizations. In mitigation, SMEs have resorted to internal funding options from friends and family to run their enterprises. Such financial options are not adequate, and sometimes, they are unreliable. Remedial measures have not borne much fruit. In fact, as has been observed in countries like Kenya and Ghana, governments have sought new IMF and World Bank loans in an attempt to fight COVID-19 and stimulate economic growth. However, the Gallup surveys reported in the recent FEEDS-Africa Gallup Forum  show that the general public and SMEs have not benefited from these government initiatives. This means that small businesses have to seek alternative ways to source funds to grow their businesses and live up to their vital role in fueling Africa’s economic growth and job creation. The way forward Fortunately, all hope is not lost. The Annual FEEEDS-Gallup Africa Forum: Africa’s Business Economy, and The AfCFTA — the Role of SMEs virtual events focused on how new and existing African SMEs can survive and thrive in these turbulent times. The forum brought together experts on SMEs including Dr. Elizabeth Lungu-Nkumba from the US-Africa Trade Council, Stanley Straughter, chairman of the Africa-Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, (ACBCGP), and Dr. Hippolyte Fofack the director of research and international cooperation at Afriexim Bank, among others; with the goal of highlighting how SMEs can help jumpstart Africa’s economic development in COVID-19 and beyond. Dr. Hippolyte Fofack proposed that COVID-19 has disrupted markets and the way of doing business almost in equal measure as the emergence of the internet a few years ago. Such disruptions force markets to search for a new equilibrium which can create new opportunities for African SMEs to enter the global market. For example, opportunities such as the manufacture of PPEs, oxygen tanks, and masks have emerged because of the pandemic. Additionally, a new crop of entrepreneurs spurred by digital technology and eCommerce have emerged during this period as well. Take for instance MwalimuPlus, an online learning platform for school children, local food delivery services like Take Eat Easy and Yum delivery; and creatives are also taking their talents online. Looking at the bigger picture, Africa’s challenges, both old and new, present new innovation opportunities for SMEs according to Mr. Straughter from the Africa-Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia. He believes that entrepreneurial minds running SMEs can benefit from the disruptions in the market as well as from looking at the challenges facing Africa differently. It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention, and with Africa facing so many challenges, it goes without saying that the many challenges are actually many opportunities for businesses and, more so, African SMEs to seize and utilise. The event highlighted that SMEs are better placed than established businesses to drive change and innovation. This is because SME’s possess unique attributes not available to larger organisations to prosper and thrive. Some key attributes working to the benefit of SMEs are: Seize the day SMEs have the potential and opportunity to not only grow in local markets but importantly also in regional markets, on their path to internationalisation and cross-border trade. Internationalisation, which includes pan-African markets, holds numerous benefits such as increased revenue, benchmarking from competitors, as well as a new competition that can foster innovation. In recognition of such benefits, there are numerous agencies and bodies solely dedicated to helping African SMEs advance to the international platform. While most offer financial assistance in terms of grants and loans, there are others that play advisory roles and even offer networking and facilitation platforms that link African SMEs to their peers and the regional and international markets. Ideally,

This article was originally published on Qazini I have heard it said, that we are the greatest and smartest species on the planet. I used to think that was obviously true. However, I have come to question that statement a lot. Partly through life’s school of hard knocks, but more so from the crisis we (humanity) has created on and for our planet. We sat down in the living room of our home, the Earth, and we set our house on fire. We are still wondering if we really did, and still thinking we have lots of time to put the fire out. Surely, the fire department will come, and if not, our neighbours will come and help us. We are sitting inside; talking, reading, snoozing, watching TV, scrolling on our phones, At the dining table, our intellectual friends talk about colonizing new planets and places, like it was a ‘success’ the first-time round. Irritable voices complain that life is a struggle and COVID-19 has made it so much worse for us all. We catch a glimpse of smoke float by the window, and we smell a slight hint something burning on the evening breeze. But we don’t pay any attention to it, surely, it’s not here, not our house… The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released the Physical Science Basis report on Climate Change. Simply put, it’s a report by the world’s leading scientists from 195 countries on the scientific evidence of climate change. All 195 countries sign off on the report before it can be published. The report gives the current state of the climate, the role of human activity, future scenarios and what needs to be done to limit climate change. The Climate Crisis Has Already Begun Here are a few highlights from the science in the report: I have written a previous article on climate change and Africa (Climate Change: Where Does Africa Stand?); but it is worth highlighting from the recent IPCC report that because of human-caused climate change, surface temperature in Africa is rising faster than the global average. Additionally, sea levels around Africa have risen over the last three decades at a higher rate than the global mean. More insights on our continent are presented in the Africa factsheet. Achieving Net Zero The World Resource Institute1), highlights 10 things that we need to change in every country, with every citizen, for the world to achieve net zero emissions: Policy, private sector, and technology are vital to making this change happen. However, perhaps the most important are changing mindset and behavior. At the end of the day, people make the decisions, not institutions. If we can change our individual mindset and then in turn our behaviour, we have a chance of reducing and maybe even resolving the climate crisis we are in.   A Fellowship of the Earth? From 31st October – 12th November 2021, Glasgow will host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) bringing together world leaders to speed up action on the Paris Agreement goals. These goals were ‘that every country agreed to work together to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees and aim for 1.5 degrees, to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate and to make money available to deliver on these aims.’ (www.ukcop26.org). There are 4 key priorities for this life-critical meeting in Glasgow that need to be achieved: If the world can reach net zero by 2040, our chances of keeping warming below 1.50C is higher. To get there higher emitting countries, MUST deliver net-zero without fail. In July, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said, ’The world urgently needs a clear and unambiguous commitment to the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris Agreement from all G20 nations. There is no pathway to this goal without the leadership of the G20.’ Developing countries must also commit to reducing emissions, there is not way out of it. We must all ensure a healthy and habitable planet. Otherwise, life will be pure and basic survival; you can forget about development or prosperity. The outcomes of COP26 will tell us, what kind of world and future we can all expect. COP26 will be a test to the character and courage of our leaders. And from there, take action on what is committed. There’s an African proverb that says, ‘Any dead fish can flow down the river but it takes a live one to swim back up stream.’ Actions Have Consequences I think it is time for each of us to ask ourselves the question: What is my relationship to the Earth?3) The current state of climate evidenced in the recent IPCC report is bleak and very real. It shows us that our actions as humanity, over the past decades have created dire consequences we now have to face, together – like it or not, deny it or not. These are challenging times we have brought upon ourselves. Albert Einstein once said ‘you cannot solve problems at (with) the same level of thinking and consciousness that created them.’ Useful Notes

Photo by Omotayo Tajudeen from Pexels This article was originally published on Qazini. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is an ambitious trade accord signed by 54 out of 55 African countries and brokered by the African Union with the goal of creating the world’s largest single market for goods and services in the African continent. Ratified in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, 2018, the deal is set to have a huge impact on how Africa conducts business across the continent and with other countries and trading blocks around the world. In the past, African countries have mainly pursued multilateral trade agreements with immediate neighbours. For instance, the East African Community (EAC) brought together only the six countries in Eastern Africa; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) serves those in Western Africa; and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) serves the Central, Eastern and Southern African countries. In context, the AfCFTA deal brings together over 1.3 billion people spread out across the continents 55 countries. It has a potential gross domestic product of about $3.4 trillion which compares well to other regional blocks. For instance, the European Union’s Single Market is the world’s largest single market area of 27 countries with a population of over 447 million people and GDP of close to $20 billion. While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is 10 countries with a total GDP of $2.5 trillion (3.4% of global trade) and a population of over 660 million people. Thus, AfCFTA could have even a bigger impact possibly lifting Africa’s millions out of poverty and accelerating development and trade. Seen as the successor to the United States Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which is set to expire in 2025, AfCFTA focus is intra-African and is better placed to promote Africa’s integration. Though AGOA was created in 2000 to establish stronger commercial ties between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, it seeks to see Africa as a single market. The main, and perhaps most important, difference is that AfCFTA is more inward looking and seeks to facilitate enhanced trade among African countries with the removal of trade barriers that hinder intra-continental trade. According to Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General – AfCFTA, the accord requires a major paradigm shift in the African political and economic mind-set. Speaking during the 29th Brookings AfCFTA Forum, Wamkele indicated that African nations need to change how they view custom tariffs and duties. He highlighted that, custom regimes as they have existed in the past are seen as protectionist policies and a source of government revenue. However, Wamkele views them as barriers to industrialization and expansion of industries and market opportunities.   To achieve the dream of AfCFTA, member states need to create the right environment. Again, Wamkele argues that member countries need collaboration and support from international bodies such as the EU that have experience in market integration to create a working legal and custom infrastructure that supports Africa’s industrialization. So far, AfCFTA has a lot to celebrate. Wamkele indicates that current data shows that 87.6% of intra continental trade is taking place under AfCFTA. With such momentum Africa will be likely become the largest single market in the world. Another key goal of AfCFTA is the creation of a common currency to facilitate trade. Past discussions on the creation of a common African currency have not borne fruit with the US dollar largely used in the region. Consequently, the continent suffers massive inefficiencies in currency conversion. Speaking at the Brookings event, Landry Signé (Senior Fellow – Global Economy and Development Brookings Instute, Africa Growth Initiative) put the cost of currency conversion at over US$ 5 billion annually.  This cost erosion is a hindrance to the growth of the intra-African market that is placed at about $ 5 trillion and expected to hit $7 trillion by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic also has thrown a spanner in the works. Since the commencement of the pandemic in 2020, African countries have been slapped with travel restrictions by the developed world. While these restrictions are put in place to stop the spread of the virus, Wamkele views them as trade restrictions guised as COVID regulations. The western world has been very fast to impose travel bans on African countries when they report a relatively small spike in infections compared to when such reports are made by their fellow western countries. For example, the discovery of the recent Omricon variant of C-19, which was flagged to the world by South Africa led to travel bans on Southern African countries by the developed world; when in reality, the Omricon variant was already in the developed world (The Netherlands) before it was detected in South Africa. Another key challenge for the full realisation of the AfCFTA is the political pettiness among member states. Some countries have been imposing arbitrary custom requirements for some imported products and services where countries feel their local markets are threatened. Such political decisions are largely influenced by lobby groups. For example, Kenya and Tanzania have been putting on and off custom duties and even visa requirements across their borders.  Such knee-jerk and retaliatory practices need to be addressed fully if the AfCFTA is to achieve its intended goals.   The AfCFTA is a significant opportunity for Africa to prioritise and lead its own development agenda in a way that benefits its people today and for the future. We must join hands and move forward together as a continent. For thousands of years Africa’s history was of great civilisations and trade across the continent. Our continent’s recent past of slavery, annihilation and colonialism by others – although horrific – must never hold us back from where we must get to for our future. Useful Information Africa Free Trade Zone (Inside Story, Al Jazeera) – YouTube History of Africa (BBC Africa documentary series) – YouTube

Instruction in youth is like engraving in stone. ~Moroccan Proverb Sustainable Development Education is the foundation of a competent citizenry and workforce. Education shapes how citizens think and act in their lives and, as an outcome, determines a country’s trajectory. While SDG 4: Quality Education is a goal within the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) importantly, this goal also has the muscle and means to facilitate the attainment of all the other 16 goals. This is through embedding the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that empower learners to take informed decisions and make responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society (or education for sustainable development). It is important to point out that, all levels of education have an integral role to play in shaping the minds and hearts of young Kenyans of all ages. This particular journey I highlight below focuses specifically on universities; from my master’s dissertation research. Universities & Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) The number of universities in Kenya has grown exponentially. In the 1990s Kenya had only four universities, in 2007 there were seven universities.  Today, the 2019 national census disclosed that the country has 30 public universities, 30 chartered private universities and 30 universities with Letter of Interim Authority (LIA). The same census showed that 3.5% of the country’s population (approx.1.7million) has attained an undergraduate degree. From these statistics alone, universities have a key role and responsibility in equipping youth – their students – with the knowledge, skills and values to drive Kenya’s development. Effective nation building is the responsibility of both citizens and the state. In late 2019, the Ministry of Education published ‘A Guide to Mainstreaming Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) into Kenyan Universities.’ In early 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and reminds us that we getting the basics development in order; healthcare, social protection, food security, building reliance on local business and industry, environmental protection etc; is vital for society’s wellbeing. In late 2021, climate scientists put the world, and particularly developing countries, on high alert to the realities and consequences of climate change. The hard fact is that people rely on the environment (nature) to live – water, air, sun, rain, soil, etc – and we take these for granted to our detriment. Society, business and the economy are wholly dependent on the environment (nature) to existand the past few years have brought this to the fore. It is a changing world– education must prepare youth for these changing times and the emerging new world. Education for Sustainable Development allows learners to leverage systems thinking and address arising challenges. I have worked in sustainability for over 20 years with companies in the private sector. In my mission as a sustainability champion, the biggest challenge I faced centred on internally creating awareness and an understanding of what sustainability is, and why it matters to all of us. This was not unique to the organisation’s I worked with, as my peers experienced the same thing. This led me to question whether we were learning about environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society or the nested interdependencies of planet, people, peace and prosperity; before going ‘out into the world’ to join the workforce, start a business; and build our country. With this in mind, I focused my Msc. Sustainable Development dissertation research to delve into this question. I decided to case study Strathmore University Business School (SBS), one of Kenya’s leading business schools, to analyse how they were mainstreaming Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) based on the Ministry of Education guide, published in late 2019. My research focused on the ESD component only of the ministerial guide, and specifically on SBS undergraduate programmes. The focus on the business school was based on my particular interest in business and sustainability. In late November 2021, Strathmore University brought together leaders and stakeholders in university education to discuss how universities can take a greater role in advancing sustainable development in the country through their tertiary education. My research findings highlighted that education for sustainable development is becoming the new normal for university education around the world. But as a new normal, embedding it into university education will not be without its challenges. As an institutional leader in sustainability, Strathmore University has embedded sustainability thinking into its strategy integrating the SDGs into its strategic direction; in its operations with green buildings; driving research and excellence in climate innovation, via the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre; as well as advancing sustainability leadership in the private sector through executive education programmes targeting business managers and leaders. Despite this progress, the research showed that  more needed to be done to empower learners in their undergraduate programmes and extra-curricular activities with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for environmental protection, economic viability and a just society. Strathmore University was the case study for my dissertation research. The institution took the opportunity to leverage the research findings and insights into a dialogue session with other university education stakeholders to foster partnership and cooperation on shifting university education towards sustainable development and citizenship education for Kenya. Charting The Way Forward Through this event, university education stakeholders acknowledged that for undergraduate programmes, universities: With only eight years left to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Kenyan universities are determined to do their part. This will entail shaping minds and hearts to deliver sustainable development for the needs of the current youth generation; and they, in turn, will ensure future generations can also meet their own needs. Watch a video with Kenyan perspectives on ESD and universities here: Kenyan insights, role of unis

In 2021, UNESCO published The World in 2030 Survey which highlighted the challenges and hopes of youth for the future. As part of my dissertation presentation on Education for Sustainable Development in Kenyan universities, I undertook a dip stick survey of the same UNESCO challenge; but this time, asking Kenyans to highlight the challenges from a Kenyan context and also asked about the role of universities in addressing these challenges. Here’s the video highlighting these Kenyan perspectives: Kenyan Insights, Role of Unis For more information on education for sustainable development and global citizenship education, visit: UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Education for Sustainable Development in Kenyan Universities

This article first appeared on Qazini Blog Give me a fish and I will eat today, teach me how to fish, and I will eat for a lifetime. Today’s world is fraught with numerous challenges ranging from poverty, climate change, pandemics, unemployment, poor housing and health services, hunger and food insecurity; among many more. The challenges can seem endless, but let us not forget that never has the world not been fraught with challenges, and probably never will it be. Every generation, every decade or century, has been faced with its challenges; and humanity has always figured out a way to address or resolve them. The challenges we are dealing with today are, potentially, greater than before, and climate change is the perfect example of that. Climate change is the change in the state of the climate (global and regional weather patterns) largely due to increased levels of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. The United Nations gives a detailed definition here. Working in and learning about sustainability over the past decades of my life, I always wondered why people (myself included) and organisations struggled to understand why sustainable development is of paramount importance. Sustainable Development is defined as ‘development that meets the needs of current generations, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ When you read it, it seems pretty obvious and makes complete sense. However, actually doing it right was not obvious at all. Today, the world (governments, businesses, NGOs, citizens) have  Sustainable Development Goals. These are 17 goals for people and for the planet. These Global Goals define how we must move forward if future generations are to have the ability to meet their own needs. So back to my ‘wondering’, I began to ask myself, why hadn’t I learned about sustainable development in school or in university, given what’s at stake? Education for sustainable development In 2021, I decided to dig deeper into this, by focusing my master’s degree research on mainstreaming education for sustainable development into Kenyan universities. According to UNESCO, education for sustainable development ‘empowers learners of all ages with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to address the interconnected global challenges we are facing including climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, poverty, and inequality. Education is the foundation of a competent citizenry and workforce. Education shapes how we, as people, citizens and residents, think and act in our lives; and, as a result, education determines a country’s trajectory. The number of universities in Kenya has grown exponentially. In the 1990s Kenya had only four universities, in 2007 there were seven universities.  Today, the 2019 national census disclosed that the country has 30 public universities, 30 chartered private universities, and 30 universities with Letter of Interim Authority (LIA). The same census showed that 3.5% of the country’s population (approx.1.7million) has attained an undergraduate degree. From these statistics alone, universities have a key role and responsibility in equipping youth – their students – with the knowledge, skills, and values to drive Kenya’s development. Effective nation-building is the responsibility of both citizens and the state. (A small diversion: the state is created by and composed of people, who are themselves citizens and/or residents. The state is not just a thing, a building, lifeless entity – despite legal definitions. In reality, it is a very large group of people/citizens, a.k.a civil servants, whose responsibilities and mandate are to build their country for the better. Now back to the main road.) My research focused on one of Kenya’s leading universities, Strathmore University, and specifically on their business school’s undergraduate programmes. This focus was born from my career in business and sustainability. As such, this research was a case study. In late 2019, Kenya’s Ministry of Education published ‘A Guide to Mainstreaming Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) into Kenyan Universities.’ I used this guide to appraise how the University’s business school was mainstreaming the Education for Sustainable Development only; intentionally leaving out the Global Citizenship Education component due to research constraints. The guideline encouraged universities to mainstream ESD into: The Ministry’s guideline presented seven ESD concepts for this: 1) Energy Conservation, 2) Climate Change and environmental sustainability, 3) Disaster awareness, preparedness, and management, 4) Food and nutrition, 5) Sustainable production and utilization of resources, 6) Poverty eradication, and 7) Water and sanitation. The current state of play in universities* From a broader and global context, the research evidenced that: (Watch a video on Kenyan perspectives on ESD and universities) The research analysis on Strathmore University’s Business School showed that: *This is based on the research conducted on mainstreaming education for sustainable development into Kenyan universities: A case study. Charting the way forward Taking the research’s insights into consideration, Strathmore University proactively convened a university educators stakeholder session engaging with their peers on how local universities and business schools can take a greater role in embedding sustainable development thinking and practice for Kenya’s future. At this session, university leaders acknowledged that universities must prepare students for the complexities of the future, and for contemporary life in Kenya. The educators also acknowledged that they would face challenges: adapting existing learning and pedagogy, with resources, capacity building, and curriculum change; to mention a few. And, perhaps, the most hopeful of all, university educators committed to working together to mainstream education for sustainable development and global citizenship into their universities. As the saying goes: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. With only eight years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030, Kenyan universities are taking up the baton to do their part in shaping Kenya’s and our world’s sustainable future. I, for one, will definitely be watching this space! May the spirit of Ubuntu light the way… *** *If you are in university, college—actually any student; please ask your institution e.g. a faculty, teacher, a manager, dean of students, student leader; etc. if the education you are receiving is empowering you with the knowledge, skills,

This article was originally published on Qazini.com According to the United Nations Population Fund’s statistics, Africa ranks second among seven continents, in a population with over 1 billion people. Asia is first with over four billion people.  Amidst the continent’s population lies over 400 million youth aged between 15-35 years, and 60% of them are unemployed. The United Nations also records that approximately 10-12 million youth join the labour market annually. This means that the youth unemployment rate skyrockets each year. Whereas tremendous efforts have been made by the private sector across Africa to solve this puzzle, unemployment continues to take a toll on young Africans and African economies. In a recent event on rethinking, retooling, innovating, digitising, and transforming SMEs and Start-ups post Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), hosted by Human Capital International, business leaders in the hospitality and creatives industry asked themselves, Could hospitality and the creative arts industries be the missing link in solving youth unemployment? An article, published by the World Economic Forum, records that among the world’s ten fastest-growing economies, six of them are in Africa. Some of the listed lucrative investment opportunities that could propel Africa’s economies to greater heights include agriculture, energy, water, and mineral processing. Creative arts and hospitality industries are out of the picture. This could mean that African youth haven’t progressed much in these industries. What could be some of the reasons why the creative arts and hospitality industries remain untapped? Lack of technical training and specialised schools The majority of youth who join the creative arts and hospitality industries lack relevant skills. At the tertiary education level e.g. universities, colleges, institutes, etc; the curriculum for hospitality and creative arts courses lack practical skills. As a result, youth are often ill-equipped for real-world employment as they fall short of the skills and knowledge needed by the employer. To bridge this gap, it is necessary for youth to get training that equips them with the required skills, such as communication, customer service, and hospitality management. Importantly, tertiary institutions should redesign their curriculum aligning it to the current market and what the market will look like in the future; so that youth are employable, savvy, and competitive in the creative and hospitality industries. The industries are not a priority for many youth Creative arts and hospitality are a second choice for many young people when choosing what courses to pursue in colleges and universities. Most of the time it becomes a choice after they have failed or not succeeded at securing that ‘big’ course and are left without another ‘serious’ option. There are parents who decide what courses their children will take. Unfortunately, creative arts and hospitality are rarely a choice for these parents. The youth who have defied their parents’ demands and instead pursued their passion for arts, have developed strained relationships with their parents. Because of this parental dynamic, these industries continue to place at the bottom of the list for youth and in turn, heightens the talent deficit in these industries and exacerbates the youth unemployment rate. Most countries underrate art There is an assumption that creative arts are for the ‘uneducated’ and those lacking ‘seriousness’ to thrive in life. Similarly, it is often believed that one does not need to acquire an education to qualify for a hospitality job. Art is also perceived to be expensive; an unnecessary expense or a luxury in Africa. A buyer has to decide between purchasing art or attending to other more pressing needs. Nonetheless, there’s a silver lining in all this because African art is gaining international recognition. Youth are also using global platforms like social media to sell their art. The momentum is picking up for African artists, but there is more work to be done since not every youth has access to these opportunities, yet. Preference of foreign content Foreign content still dominates most local radio and TV stations in Africa. Various industry players like Eric Omondi, a Kenyan comedian, are advocating for the limitation of foreign content through legislation; but so far, the issue has not been resolved. Promoting foreign content more than local content means that African youth in the creative arts industry continue to lag behind. To shift the priority to African content, collaboration between the government, creatives/artists, the media industry, and other relevant stakeholders is needed to bolster the creative arts industry by promoting local content, which will create employment for the youth. For example, it is hard to imagine British, American, or Mexican TV or radio with a majority of Kenyan or African content, so why then would it be that in 2022 Kenya has majority Mexican, British or American TV or radio content? Youth limiting their own worldview Creatives have limited themselves to a certain category of content, for example, music and comedy. Genres like animation and e-sports have not been fully tapped into. Crowding in one category has led to high competition and reduced employment opportunities. Youth should start thinking creatively about other available opportunities that can help them create monetized content. Lack of resources In this digital era where smartphones seem to be everywhere, one would imagine that every youth owns one. Sadly, many young people in Africa lack access to smartphones and good cameras to produce content. Lacking these key resources then becomes an impediment for African youth to show their talents and create employment for themselves. However, the future still looks bright Despite the issues outlined, the creative arts and hospitality industries have the ability to create employment opportunities for youth in Africa, and scale up African economies. It is important to remember that every industry has its challenges, but that does not mean that they do not thrive, create entrepreneurship and employment opportunities and deliver socio-economic growth. There is a necessity to prioritise these ‘newer’ industries; train youth with relevant, contemporary, real-world curriculum. We need to champion African content above foreign content in our countries to create opportunities; and additionally, encourage youth to broaden their mindsets to see beyond what they know. Africans

This article was originally published on Qazini.com According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa contributes about two to three percent to climate change, yet the youthful continent bears the most consequences. Decreased rainfall, increased heat waves, droughts, and an increase in heavy rainfall are some of the adverse effects of global emissions facing Africa. This will impact our eco-systems, our livelihoods, societies and economies. UNEP highlights that, one of the reasons why Africa is vulnerable to climate change is due to its weaker social and economic system compared to other parts of the world. Even though the climate crisis threatens to disrupt and negatively impact Africa’s economies and societies, African entrepreneurs have the capacity to turn the tables. This article seeks to explore the social and economic benefits of entrepreneurship in Africa, how the climate crisis is affecting entrepreneurship and ways to build sustainable entrepreneurship —a reflection of insights shared during the Shared Value AfricaInitiative’s (SVAI) at the recent African Entrepreneurship Forum held on in August 2022. Social and economic impact of entrepreneurshipWith entrepreneurship at the core of Africa’s development efforts, economic prosperity is guaranteed. Here are some areas on entrepreneurship in Africa enhances social and economic growth. ● Creation of employment opportunities. The African Development Bank (AfDB) indicates that over 20 million jobs were lost in 2021 in Africa due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The poverty levels remained high in 2022, and from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the bank further states that, another 1.8 million people are likely to end up in poverty in 2022 and a further 2.1 million in 2023. Entrepreneurship creates job opportunities not only for entrepreneurs themselves but also for other people. Their living standards improve, which in turn reduces poverty.● Technology development. The Business Insider Africa, records that six African start-ups featured in the World Economic Forum’s list of 100 innovative tech start-ups for its 2022 Technology Pioneers cohort. These start-ups include Okra in Nigeria – Fintech; Access Afya, Kenya – healthcare social enterprise; Sendy. Kenya – ecommerce fulfillment; Pula Advisors, Kenya – agricultural insuranceand technology; Ampersand, Rwanda – solar energy; and Ejara, Cameroon – crypto and investment services. The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers are at the forefront of shaping policy, strategy innovation and solutions in technology on globally relevant issues. These African startups will be part of a global community comprising some of the world’s tech bigwigs, including Google,Twitter, Spotify, Wikipedia and Mozilla.● Increased revenue. Entrepreneurs boost Africa’s economy through paying taxes which are used to establish and strengthen social services e.g. healthcare, education, social security, etc. and build infrastructure in countries.● Creation of new markets and businesses. Saturation of products and services in an area pushes entrepreneurs to think creatively and establish new markets and businesses. When the newly created markets perform well, Africa’s economy equally grows. Climate change and African entrepreneurshipClimate change has dire consequences on people, prosperity, peace, and the planet —our home; this means climate change will impact businesses. So, how should entrepreneurs ensure that they remain resilient and foster sustainable entrepreneurship in Africa? Making Africa’s entrepreneurship sustainable● African entrepreneurs must learn to intentionally focus on the problems they are solving to offer customized and sustainable solutions. Entrepreneurs need to be guided by a social and environmental mission. By focusing on the problems, entrepreneurs are identifying gaps in the market and society that need solutions through a product/service.● An agribusiness entrepreneur at the forum emphasized the need to embrace innovation, mechanization and hydroponics for sustainable agriculture. Entrepreneurs needs to innovate and adapt with the realities of climate change and its potential impacts in mind.● Pointing out the power of collaboration, another panelist advised entrepreneurs from different sectors to work together. Building on this, the panelist highlighted that cross-industry collaboration and partnership can create an ecosystem where like-minded entrepreneurs jointly offer solutions. Importantly, collaboration allows for and leverages sharing resources, expertise reduces costs, and drives scale and impact. African entrepreneurs need to provide products/services to society that benefit consumers: strengthen and make our societies and economies more resilient. African entrepreneurs are called on to solve Africa’s social and environmental challenges and opportunities. At the end of the day, this vibrant, dynamic, rising continent is our business.

This Mashujaa Day campaign shifts our view to the vast continent of Africa. An opportunity to celebrate women who influenced the trajectory of Africa’s growth and culture from the pre-colonial period. Download the graphics here Highlighting women who shaped the cultural and political landscape of Pre-colonial Africa