Africa is demographically the world’s youngest continent. By 2030, about 20% of the global labour force and nearly 35% of the global youth labour force will be from this region. While 10 to 12 million Africa’s youth enter the workforce each year, only 3 million formal jobs are created. Indeed, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will likely worsen this trend. With most African countries in lockdown, the impact of COVID-19 on economies and businesses will be significant and long-lasting. According to a recent assessment by the ILO, almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of the pandemic. Both the formal and informal sectors are threatened with destruction. Noting that 15-34 year-olds make up close to half of the continent’s working age population; young people will be the first to feel the effects of this recession – and most likely the last to recover. This is a sad reality on a continent with such an impressive pool of youth, talent and creativity. Lack of youth employment opportunities undermines Economic growth, Social cohesion and Political stability.
From the demand-side perspective, COVID-19 has reduced consumption, and neither African SMEs nor their countries have sufficient market infrastructure (such as internet connectivity or e-commerce markets) to help mitigate this shock. From the supply-side, the virus has affected workers in terms of employment and access to work, and mitigation measures have caused a slowdown of economic activity. The sectors that are most at risk of COVID-19 disruptions in Africa are: wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, administrative services, and hospitality (including tourism). Along with agriculture, these sectors represent many of the key industries where young people currently find employment.
In the midst of this gloomy scenario what opportunities may be opening up for the youth? Where would a youth start in a depressed Economy?
The truth is that this crisis comes with opportunities. The old Chinese proverb; ‘A crisis is an opportunity riding the dangerous wind’ applies even now. If you look around, you will realize there are more opportunities than threats. As long as the world has not come to an end yet, there will always be needs; people must eat, have a roof over their heads, keep warm & healthy etc. Allow the crisis to ignite the creativity in you; quarantine, lock-down and all other mitigation measures although painful gives a rare time for planning, reflection and self-examination. There will definitely be winners and losers during and after this pandemic; how do you align your ideas to the winning side.
For SME owners, Business Managers & Corporate heads, give youth a chance. Businesses are looking to bounce back quickly after the pandemic-it’s time we created opportunities for internship and apprenticeship for the youth. In addition let us consider mentoring our young people for sustainable job creation and succession planning?
Lastly as John Denver put it “I would so much like young people to have a sense of the gift that they are”, our youth are truly a gift![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”835″ label=””][vc_column_text]Mary Kamore is the Lead Consultant MoliveS Mentors[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
A few days ago I had a chance to do what I love most-training mentors. This was not an ordinary group of participants but a group of youth, 30 years and below, who are interested in changing the lives of other youths within their circle of influence, thanks to ELNET-Ethical Leaders Network (ELNET) which exists to influence leaders both in the corporate and religious circles towards Godly transformation. As I conducted this training via zoom, which is the ‘new normal’, I was excited not just because these are youths who have decided to step out of the ordinary but also because of their resolve -the current crisis notwithstanding. Their presence in this virtual learning moment was clear proof of their determination.
“Anything can change, Mary, anything and I mean anything!” These were the words my friend, Ann, told me this week when we were discussing how quickly things are changing, making it nearly impossible to catch up with the speed of change. What once seemed strong, dependable and immovable has been shaken to the core. We are experiencing a never imagined change in all aspects of our lives; the way we work, do Business, forge relationships, run Governments, run churches & other religious entities, deliver essential services like health and education, etc. Yes, my friend is right, ‘Anything can change!
You possibly know about Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and that it helps a business continue operating in the event of major disasters e.g. fires. However, and possibly like me, less did you know that a disaster can get this close and hit this hard leaving your Businesses on its knees-that is what COVID-19 has done. It is, therefore, now time to not only think about BCP but to get it done as soon as possible.
The COVID-19 crisis is predicted to have far-reaching consequences that will be felt for years to come. We have started witnessing its grave impact on the global economy, particularly, on business entrepreneurship.
In High School (Third and Fourth form) there is nothing I dreaded like having to stand in front of hundreds of girls (plus the teachers) every Monday morning and give a speech. However being the school Head girl that was the expectation, it was a routine. Every Monday morning I would give a brief of what happened the previous week and advice on expectations for the new week. A statement in my speech could read like; “Good morning school, last week the duties were fairly well done and would want to give special recognition to Form Two(T) who did exceptionally well in keeping the Dining Hall clean. This week we have Provincial Drama festivals being held in our school and in that respect I expect all of us to maintain high level of discipline and keep our school compound clean…” At age 17 I could put this weekly speech together and I could not only give a speech but follow through to ensure that the issued instructions, school rules and regulations are followed. Of course I did this with the help of other school captains. I must admit that I was not the most responsible, obedient or even loyal student in the school. But the moment this huge responsibility was placed on my shoulders my behavior changed, I had first to be responsible before asking others to be responsible. This sense of responsibility has been my value to date.
Women Liberation may sound modern, ungodly and feminist. But did you know that it is as old as Christianity and it was at the center of Jesus Ministry? When Jesus walked the earth, He did not only confront the culture, heal the sick and raise the dead but also liberated the oppressed and set the captives free. Women were at the top of his list!
I have a set of chairs that is close to 20 years old. It happens to meet the bare minimum on comfort and presentability. It is not modern, though, and subsequently not one that would catch your flavor and especially if you have a taste of attractiveness. I have made attempts to change the chairs but every time I do, my resolve gets hijacked by the assumed time, effort and money it will take to get a new one. It is in this state of ramble that an alternative is born; ‘fix the seat!-do a bit of make-over here and there and the seat will be good to go.
“I chose to do what many girls in my community will not do. You see in my Masaai community girls’ education is not that important that’s why we are married off at a very early age. Those who are lucky to pursue education they don’t take up ‘men’ careers like I have done. So when I decided to become a tour guide and a driver my family considered me an outcast, they almost disowned me and up to today I don’t have a relationship with my father. I understand why he feels disappointed; I brought shame on him and has nothing to show about me according to our culture. I am, however, determined to show my father and my community that girls have rights too” .As Ann Tumpesia, my Tour Guide, said all this she did not take her eyes off the murky terrain that we had to cruise during this wet morning game drive at the Masaai Mara Game Reserve. She also elicited high level of confidence being in control of the four wheel land cruiser that had just the two of us on board. For some reason I felt safer oblivious to the fact that she was a stranger in unfamiliar environment.