ASP Youth Power 2023

Almost 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, making Africa the youngest continent – and by 2050, the continent’s population is expected to double. Such a high number of young people are the continent’s biggest opportunity for growth, innovation and sustainable development.

An easily recognizable avenue for growth is the continent’s creative, digital and knowledge industries. Digital media and advances in technology have provided the youth with platforms to express their talents, shape their own narratives, and build careers in these industries – from music, film, fashion, lifestyle and photography to programming, gaming, data analytics, AI, and more – while cultivating influence and social capital.

This increase in youth participation in some of the most dynamic industries of our time is parallel to the increasing involvement of young voices in social and political movements. As evident in the changing face of these movements, involving young people is not just a question of inclusion; youth participation and the power it brings breathes new life into existing causes – from new ideas, to innovative financing methods, different approaches to information sharing, collaboration, and mobilization.

Join Africa Soft Power for an in-person conversation on July 21st (2pm – 5pm) to discuss progressive governance, youth empowerment, and the power of the creative and digital industries to create sustainable economic prospects for young Africans.

• How can the power of the creative and digital industries create and accelerate equitable, sustainable, and inclusive economic opportunities for Africa’s youth?
• How can we foster dialogue between stakeholders to increase awareness of the importance of youth and influencer power in social movements and policy actions/interventions?
• What’s the relationship between digital platforms, technology adoption, youth power and agency?
• How can we foster discourse on the topical issues threatening the future of the youth on the continent – insecurity, climate change?
• How do we engage both government and youth groups on citizen participation and youth engagement?