SA take a page out of US President Trump's playbook?

IN MAY 2013, African leaders signed a 50th anniversary solemn declaration during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the formation of the Organisation of African Union (OAU), now called the African Union.

- KIZITO OKECHUKWU

The declaration marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of 'an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena'.

It also launched Agenda 2063, which is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this vision within a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063.

The continent is richly endowed with many potentials and resources, with 500 million of its youth aged 18-35 being the youngest globally. The continent's youth population is projected to grow by over 1billion people by 2050, making it nearly half of the world's youth.

This demographic trajectory has profound implications. It offers Africa a potential demographic dividend, where a large working-age population can drive growth, innovation, and industrialisation if adequately educated and employed.

At the same time, it places immense pressure on education systems, job creation, and infrastructure, with risks of unemployment, social unrest, or exclusion if opportunities are not expanded.

When it comes to natural resources, the continent ranks first in quantity of the world's reserves of bauxites, cobalt, industrial diamonds, phosphate rock and platinum, to name a few.

According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), in most African countries, natural capital accounts for between 30 percent and 50 percent of total wealth.

Despite all these, the continent has the highest rate of extreme poverty globally, marked by low life expectancy, high child mortality and widespread malnutrition.