By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
Future Perspectives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, on Friday 13th March hosted the West Africa Youth Symposium at the Miatta Civic Centre. The high-level engagement aimed to inspire young people to play an active role in shaping Africa’s future economy.
The symposium brought together about 100 young leaders to reflect on a central question: “Who will own Africa’s next economy?”
The event featured Yemi Osinbajo, co-founder of Future Perspectives and former Vice President of Nigeria, in an interactive discussion moderated by Dr. Fatu Wurie. The conversation focused on youth leadership, climate change, and expanding access to opportunities for young Africans.
Addressing participants, Prof. Osinbajo stressed the importance of intergenerational dialogue in tackling the complex challenges facing the continent, including climate change. He encouraged young people to see themselves as problem-solvers and active contributors to sustainable development.
“Inclusivity is not just about gender; it is also about bringing different generations to the table,” Prof. Osinbajo said, noting that meaningful progress requires experienced leaders and young innovators to work together in shaping solutions for Africa’s future.
The discussion further examined the difficulties young innovators face in accessing funding. Prof. Osinbajo explained that many global financing institutions tend to prioritize low-risk investments, making it harder for emerging organizations to secure support. He recommended the creation of intermediary institutions that can channel funding to grassroots innovators, while also encouraging African governments and the private sector to invest more in youth-led initiatives.
“International funding alone will never be enough. Africa must also mobilize its own resources. The private sector on the continent needs to play a bigger role in supporting youth innovation,” he said.
The symposium also gave participants the opportunity to learn about initiatives led by Future Perspectives, which is expanding opportunities for African youth through trainings, innovation fundings, and partnerships with institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme and Queen’s University.
The engagement concluded with a call for young people to remain active in civic dialogue holding their leaders accountable while focused on developing innovative ideas that will help their communities and countries thrive in the future.
