BABIRYE MWAJUMAH: Beyond Survival to Shared Prosperity: Empowering Africa and the Arab World’s Young Generation to Shape an Inclusive Economic Future

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece by Babirye Mwajumah arguing that young people across Africa and the Arab World should be central to efforts to build more inclusive economic growth. The article says youth bring creativity, energy and entrepreneurial potential, but many still face unemployment, poverty, weak access to finance and uneven opportunities. It frames the challenge as moving from “survival” to broader participation in economic life.

The piece says that closing the gap between education and work will require stronger vocational training, digital literacy, entrepreneurship support and better links between schools, governments, development partners and the private sector. It also calls for young people to be included in policy design rather than treated only as beneficiaries of programmes. In this context, the author highlights innovation, small business creation and digital tools as important pathways for jobs and wealth creation.

A major theme is cooperation between Africa and the Arab World. The article presents shared history and economic ties as a basis for youth exchanges, trade links, business partnerships and knowledge-sharing. It also argues that prosperity must be inclusive, with targeted support for young women, rural youth, people with disabilities and others who face additional barriers.

The Afro-Arab Youth Council is described as one platform that could help connect young entrepreneurs and advance skills, leadership and economic participation. The broader point is that regional development efforts will be stronger if they give young people a larger role in shaping the future.