I am excited to be participating on a panel at Columbia University’s Annual African Economic Forum. My remarks will primarily focus on the importance of private-public partnerships and approaches to address youth unemployment, mitigate poverty and create a path to economic prosperity.
Saturday, April 7: 3:20 – 4.40 pm
Youth Unemployment: Youth unemployment is one of Africa’s greatest challenges. Unemployment among young people aged 15–24 years old in sub-Saharan Africa has hovered between 12% and 14% since the 2008 global financial crisis. The data does not include youth in vulnerable employment and underemployed in informal sectors, who make up at least 70% of the workforce. Although these statistics may seem daunting, African policymakers, entrepreneurs, and private businesses have been working to mitigate unemployment among African youth in their respective countries by tapping into innovation. This panel will focus on the complexities of unemployment, expand on the roles of actors on the ground who are working to solve this problem, and give exposure to budding programs and innovations that have been successful in alleviating unemployment throughout the continent.
Panelists:
Annie Duflo - Executive Director of Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
Mpho Sekwele - Co-Founder, Bantu Hikers
Samantha Taylor - President, Reputation Dynamics
Special Event Feature: Elephant Art Shop: Original watercolor paintings, cards and prints for sale with proceeds to benefit the endangered African elephant species.
Facebook: @ElephantArtShop
You can also find updates and information regarding AEF here at:
We do hope that you will be able to join this important conversation.
Sam Taylor, Founder of Reputation Dynamics
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