Lord Paul Boateng Urges African Governments to Put Youth at Centre of National Policies
Lord Paul Boateng, Member of the United Kingdom House of Lords, has urged African governments to place young people at the centre of national policymaking to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation.
Addressing participants at the KPMG 2026 Post-Budget Forum on Monday, November 17, themed “Resetting for Growth, Jobs and Economic Transformation,” Lord Boateng emphasised that harnessing the potential of Africa’s youth is essential to unlocking sustainable growth.
He called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, arguing that economic progress depends on removing barriers that stifle business and innovation. “The private and public sectors have to work effectively together. We must tackle issues of procurement and remove the obstacles to doing business. Our role as government is not to do everything, but to create an enabling environment that unlocks the natural enterprise within our people,” he stated.
Lord Boateng also underscored that youth development must go beyond training and skills enhancement. According to him, governments must formulate policies that create decent job opportunities and support entrepreneurial ventures. “We need to put the youth at the heart of our policymaking. That means we don’t just build their capacity but also provide them with employment and support their initiatives,” he added.
Lord Boateng’s call serves as a reminder that Africa’s economic ambitions hinge on its ability to empower its growing youth population. Effective partnerships, targeted policies and a renewed focus on youth-driven innovation, he stated, will be vital in shaping a prosperous future for the continent.
