The Africa Investment Summit (AIS) has reaffirmed its ambitious goal of creating 100 million jobs across the continent within five years. This transformative plan, announced last month, aims to tackle unemployment while driving economic growth in Africa’s burgeoning $3.4 trillion market of 1.4 billion consumers.
At a briefing for African Heads of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, AIS Trustee Dr Sindiswa Mzamo urged leaders to unite behind this vision. ‘Africa is the world’s richest continent, but we must walk the talk and deliver the results we want to see. Now is the time for collective action,’ she said.
Bite-sized approach to a giant task
To achieve this goal, AIS proposes breaking it down: each of Africa’s 55 countries would target job creation in seven sectors—agriculture, construction, information technology, manufacturing, mining, renewable energy, and tourism—generating 51,948 jobs per sector annually over five years.
Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman of the Africa Tourism Board, welcomed the initiative, emphasising that challenges would inspire innovation. ‘We must use the wealth of knowledge from Africa’s over 700 universities to empower the youth,’ he said.
Slaven Gajović, Chairman of the Maximum Group, likened this vision to Peru’s successful creation of one million jobs in five years. ‘We can forge stronger partnerships between governments, private sectors, and civil society to achieve this revolution,’ he stated.
Inspiration from grassroots success
Noluthando Mashologu, Deputy Chairperson of the Innovation Hub, shared her personal story of resilience from Khayelitsha, South Africa. ‘Our mantra was “No excuses, just success,” a principle that can propel us toward the 100-million-job target,’ she said.
Renewed interest in sectors like tourism underscores this optimism. The International Air Transport Association reported a 10.4 percent year-on-year rise in African air travel demand in October 2024, signalling recovery post-Covid-19.
Transforming Africa’s future
The AIS is not just about numbers; it’s a call to action for leaders, businesses, and citizens to shape Africa’s destiny. As Dr Mzamo emphasised, ‘This is not just a dream; it is an achievable vision if we come together.’
With bold goals and strategic collaboration, the next five years could mark a revolutionary turning point for the continent.
Credit: Africabriefing
