Yemisi Izuora
President of the African Development Bank, AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina has charged African countries to be to be innovative so as to positively drive the continents economy.
Akinwumi while speaking at the just concluded G7 Summit in Italy emphasised that innovation is crucial for access to energy, as he disclosed that 645 million Africans do not have access to electricity.
“Africa cannot develop in the dark. Africa needs an energy revolution,” he said.
Adesina said in his address: “That is why the Bank is investing $12 billion over the next five years in the energy sector as well as to leverage up to $50 billion, to address this challenge.
“We are investing in unlocking Africa’s renewable energy potential, especially innovations on solar power.”
He added: “Our goal is to connect 130 million households to grids and 75 million households to off-grid solar systems within ten years. To light up and power Africa is the biggest deal of the century.”
Highlighting the facts of youth mind-sets, the AfDB President said that like “insects migrate from where it is dark to where there is light,” the Continent’s “youth – our assets – take huge risks migrating to Europe, looking for a better life.”
With efforts to create greater economic opportunity for the youth of Africa, the AfDB has launched the Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative, with the goal of creating 25 million jobs within 10 years, with a focus on agriculture and ICT.
“We are investing in skills development in computer sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics to prepare the youths for the jobs of the future,” Adesina added.