The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina has appealed to investors, political leaders and the business community around the world to « risk investing capital in youth in Africa « . He was speaking Saturday, July 27, 2019 during a round table organized on the occasion of the Forum of entrepreneurship Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) in Abuja, Nigeria.

Indeed, Adesina proposed the establishment of banks dedicated to entrepreneurship and youth investment to meet the growing and urgent needs of young entrepreneurs.

« A bank where we see assets, not liabilities, who believe in and trust young people. I also call for a reduction in the risks of loans to youth-run businesses, « he said.

According to him, it is time for African governments to begin a transition in initiatives aimed at empowering young people to invest in youth.

.@akin_adesina:

I propose today, that African Governments must move from youth empowerment to youth investment

Young people aren’t liabilities, they are assets. We must begin to put our capital at risk and invest in our youth so our economy can grow.”#TEFforum2019 pic.twitter.com/PhXd5B1gh2

— Tony Elumelu FDN (@TonyElumeluFDN) July 27, 2019

The panel discussion, moderated by CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria, was one of the main events of the largest gathering of entrepreneurs Africa has ever known.

Panelists included Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi, Senegal’s President Macky Sall and Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Among the members of President Adesina’s delegation was Jennifer Blanke, Vice President of Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the Bank, who facilitated the opening session of the Forum. Ms. Blanke also visited the staff of the Bank’s regional office.

Eric TSHIKUMA