On Tuesday , Deputy President William Ruto attended the AfricaNow Summit in Kampala,Uganda.
While addressing African leaders among them the Country’s President Yoweri Museveni,Ruto outlined five ways that he believes will empower the youth to a more secure future.
Ruto underscored the importance of youth empowerment in forging a prosperous future for Africa by implementing several measures.
1. Re-contouring education
Firstly, the DP stressed on the need to revamp the education system with skills and knowledge fitting the needs of the job market.
“Reforming the business climate must go hand-in-hand with developing a youth employment policy;
“There is need to improve links between education and training on one hand and business and industry on the other. This also calls for financing and facilitating small businesses and entrepreneurs,” Ruto stated.
2. Trade integration
DP Ruto equally pointed out trade integration as another measure to forge a better future for Africa through youth empowerment.
“We must eliminate all barriers to trade, enhance free movement of goods, services and people-to-people interaction to fully realise regional integration.
“Economic integration is critical in enabling Africa take its rightful place in global marketplace. Unless we trade as Africa, we are doomed to fail. Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) will create a single market for goods, services and increase intra-Africa trade,” the DP stated.
3. Technological uptake
The Deputy President also highlighted that the adoption of modern technology would go a long way in transforming the lives of the youth and the African continent.
“A reoriented technology-centred education and training should impart leadership and digital skills in every youth. This is because technology collaboration, innovation, team work and linkage building are indispensable for productivity and competitiveness.
4. Transforming agriculture
“Modern, mechanised agriculture holds the future for Africa. A World Bank Report notes farmers and agribusinesses can create a trillion-dollar food market by 2030 if they expand access to capital, electricity, technology and irrigated land to grow high-value foods.
5. Freedom of movement
Ruto also highlighted the need to increase efficiency in the movement of labour, raw materials and goods across the region as a measure to empower the youth.
Here is a video of the DP addressing the conference.