The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has published its 2012 facts and figures on African youth titled, “African Youth: Fulfilling the Potential”. It reveals:
- Africa is the only continent with a significantly growing youth population.
- In less than three generations, 41% of the world’s youth will be African.
- By 2035, Africa’s labor force will be larger than China’s.
Africa is keen to reap the benefits from this imminent demographic dividend. It also wants to ensure the youth competes at the global level not only due to sheer numbers. This document will be the key instrument in strategizing the continent’s future at Dakar, Senegal, on November 11, 2012. Among several compelling issues the leaders will discuss the following topics:
- What needs to be done to increase the global competitiveness of African youth?
- How committed are policy makers to listening to and including African youth in policy decisions?
- Does democracy need new tools?
- Is the Arab spring to become an African summer?
Arab spring was sparked at the Mediterranean coast of Africa. Therefore, it is Made in Africa. Internet was central to the decisive victory of this nonviolent movement. Now ETNO, the club of former colonial powers’ telecom establishments, wants to impose toll on Internet. And ITU, despite being headed by an African engineer, is keen to enslave the Internet.
Mr. Mo Ibrahim is one of the Commissioners at ITU’s Broadband Commission. He should pay heed to the African scholars and media before the “Ibrahim Forum” meets on 11/11 at Dakar. Because, within less than a month the ITU and ETNO will make respective move to enchain the Internet.
If they succeed, Africa will have to wait for someone writing the 21st century’s version of the Amazing Grace.
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