Kigali summit to unveil targeted solutions for empowering African youths

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has said that Nigeria’s active involvement in the Youth Council Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, will not only showcase the commitment but will also formulate practical solutions that will significantly enhance youth empowerment across Africa.

The Minister made this disclosure during the Youth Connect Africa Ministerial Policy Roundtable Discussions on Rural Youth Entrepreneurs Access to Finance, initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that the summit, which focused on the theme “Jobs for Youth through Innovative Skilling,” took place in Kigali, Rwanda.

Olawande revealed that the summit is aimed at equipping African youth with digital skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating employment pathways aligned with market needs to address youth unemployment by nurturing talent, innovation, and economic opportunities within the continent.

“This summit will enhance access to finance for youth-led businesses and support digital skills and technological innovation in job creation through programs that connect them with market-relevant skills, mentorship, and opportunities in emerging fields like ICT and creative industries,” he stated.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasised that the event is strategically aimed at closing the education-to-employment gap in Africa.

He added that the summit seeks to equip African youth with essential tools, resources, and strategic connections to foster long-term career growth, enabling them to excel in the global economy.

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