EDUCATING AFRICAN YOUTH FIT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Africa Day, commemorating the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) sixty-one years ago, serves as a powerful reminder of the continent's long-standing quest for unity against colonialism and exploitation. This year’s theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” highlights the pivotal role education plays in this ongoing journey.

Education has always been a cornerstone for uplifting communities and changing generational trajectories. Africa, home to 54 countries and over 1.2 billion people, has a youth population that constitutes 70% of its total populace. We argue that education and entrepreneurship education play a key role in upskilling the African child. The theme chosen by the AU is necessary and remains one of the key needs for the African youth. Formal entrepreneurship education is providing young people from non-entrepreneurial backgrounds with vital insights into the business world that they wouldn't otherwise have. The need for Entrepreneurship Education, in tandem with traditional education, sees these young people bravely navigating new territories.

The Transformative Impact of Entrepreneurship Education for African Youth

Economic Growth and Innovation

Entrepreneurship education for African youth can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation across the continent. When young people are equipped with relevant skills, they become capable of creating job opportunities not only for themselves but also for others.

According to Al-Samarrai and Bennell (2007) investment in secondary education is crucial for developing human capital, which drives economic growth in Africa. Their research shows that countries with higher educational outcomes experience faster economic progress, highlighting the need for quality education for African youth. Additionally, Dr. Steven Zwane, the founder of YLED, a youth development NPO in South Africa, who wrote his thesis on entrepreneurship education, states that introducing entrepreneurship education in grade 11 is ideal, as it is neither too early nor too late to foster innovation.?

In Kenya,entrepreneurship education initiatives have led to a 25% increase in new startups founded by youth within five years of graduation from such programs. Furthermore, the rapid increase in tech startups led by young Kenyan entrepreneurs contributed to a 14% annual growth in the tech sector, which employs over 11,000 people. In Ghana, businesses started by youth who had undergone entrepreneurship training had a 40% higher survival rate after the first three years compared to those started by untrained youth (Ghana Statistical Service, 2021).These examples illustrate the significant impact of entrepreneurship education in promoting economic growth, increasing employment opportunities, and enhancing business sustainability among the youth.

Unfortunately, South Africa’s youth entrepreneurship propensity is one of the lowest on the continent. While the South African government is committed to ensuring that a favorable environment is in place to nurture and support young entrepreneurs in the country, findings suggest that youth entrepreneurs are still facing various challenges in creating sustainable business ventures and lack the eagerness to start businesses unless these are government funded.?

The limited organisations where aspiring entrepreneurs practically learn to ideate, formulate and practically test their entrepreneurial drive with mentorship, and guidance play a key role in the hesitation by South African youth. Furthermore the very nature of the government being the key driver has inadvertently created an “assisted” entrepreneurial participation. This contrasts starkly with other African countries like Uganda, which boasts the highest propensity for entrepreneurship at 55%, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research 2014-2015. Or In Nigeria, where youth who received entrepreneurship education reported a 30% higher income level compared to their peers without such education

?All is not lost for South Africa, with the entrepreneurial spirit thriving through startups like Silicon Cape, driving tech innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa and the region. However, we need to make the circle bigger by leveling the playing field, and entrepreneurship education is a way of doing that.

In recent conversations during a fireside chat at the launch of the second year of the Junior Achievement South Africa - JA Social Equity program, four of the five panelists cited how being exposed to entrepreneurial training with the guidance of mentors boosted their entrepreneurial desire to see their business through. Furthermore, the Junior Achievement Company Year competition where grade 10-11 learners start and run a business for six months has seen many of the program alumni become leaders of industry and being confident in exploring entrepreneurship as a viable career option, with market research being a key tool in understanding that businesses are formed in response to market needs. One of these is Ntuthuko Shezi, who introduced livestock farming to the South African market 2015, also gaining exposure to entrepreneurship whilst in grade 11 under Junior Achievement South Africa’s Mini Enterprise Program in 2007.?

Entrepreneurship Education Fosters Buy-In from Youth

Research findings show that in South Africa, youth who participated in entrepreneurship education programs were 15% more likely to run for political office, according to the National Youth Development Agency. In Nigeria, entrepreneurship-educated youth contributed to 20% of the proposals in recent policy reforms aimed at improving the business environment for young entrepreneurs, according to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) 2020.

Entrepreneurship education fosters buy-in and active participation by youth in the political, social, and economic development of their country. This is imperative as participation in the planning, formulation, and drafting of policy has seen youth give buy-in to policy decisions by their governments. In Ghana, youth with entrepreneurship education held 25% of leadership positions in youth political organizations. It goes without saying that Entrepreneurship Education has more benefits than what is assumed.

Addressing Social Challenges

Entrepreneurship Education empowers young people to tackle pressing social challenges, including health crises, environmental degradation, and social inequalities. Youth are able to start and run businesses as a direct response to their environmental and community needs.

In South Africa, youth-led initiatives have made significant strides in addressing public health issues, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS with organizations like Aids Healthcare Foundation leading the course. In Kenya, 50% of youth who underwent entrepreneurship education started social enterprises focusing on community development and social issues. In South Africa, entrepreneurship education has led to a 30% increase in youth-led community development projects, according to the South African Department of Small Business Development, 2021.

Furthermore, educated young people have been at the forefront of awareness campaigns, advocacy, and the implementation of health programs, significantly reducing infection rates and improving community health outcomes. Similarly, in Uganda, educated youth have led efforts to promote reproductive health and improve sanitation practices, demonstrating the profound impact education can have on societal well-being. In Uganda, entrepreneurship-educated youth established 10% more educational access programs for underprivileged children (Ugandan Ministry of Education, 2021).

Conclusion

The transformative power of education, particularly entrepreneurship education, cannot be overstated in the context of Africa’s development. As evidenced by initiatives across various African countries, empowering youth through relevant and practical education has led to significant strides in economic growth, political participation, and social development. By investing in and prioritizing education that equips young Africans with entrepreneurial skills, the continent can harness the full potential of its youth population, driving innovation, creating jobs, and addressing critical social challenges. On this Africa day we are reminded of the vital role education plays in shaping a brighter future for the continent and its people.

Author:?

Bernadette Bule

Marketing and Communications Manager

Junior Achievement South Africa