Harnessing the Demographic Dividends Through Investments in Youth

African Presidents convened in Addis Ababa from 28th January to discuss the continents economic progress. The African Union (AU) has chosen 2017 to be the year of the African youth and dedicated the theme for the summit “Harnessing the Demographic Dividends through Investments in Youth” to young people. Demographic dividend according to the United Nations Population Fund is the economic growth potential that can result from a change in a population’s age structure. This happens when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age population (14 and younger, as well as 65 and older). The central importance of the demographic dividend to Africa’s transformative development has been repeatedly acknowledged by African leaders at the highest level and in key ministerial platforms. If Africa is to rise, then she has to invest in the youth of her member countries .
Evidence from the last ten years has shown that a demographic dividend lens is a strategic way of focusing and prioritizing investments in people in general and youth in particular, in order to achieve sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena as stipulated in Agenda 2063 vision of the Africa We Want. With nearly half of its population being youth, the AU roadmap on demographic dividend is an important tool for Kenya to adopt and use to measure her economic transformation.
During the 28th AU summit, Presidents discussed the AU roadmap, its four pillars and how Africa can tap into her productive population for economic transformation. This is a very ambitious document drawn from the Agenda 2063 declaration. The question that begs however is: will signing this road map translate into economic transformation for Kenya? African governments, Kenya included, are known to sign and commit to several documents and roadmaps that they rarely implement. With so many agreements having been signed before by heads of state what makes this one different? Though ambitious, the demographic dividends roadmap offers a ray of hope for a continent plagued with a growing population with shrinking resources. By focusing on the four pillars of the demographic dividend; employment and entrepreneurship , education and skills development, health and wellbeing, rights governance and youth empowerment Kenya can avoid the demographic curse .

Health
Kenya is a signatory to the Abuja declaration which requires states to commit at least 15% of their annual budget to health. A quick glance at the 2016/2017 budget shows that the health ministry was awarded a paltry 3.6% of the total budget . In fact the allocation of total government expenditure to health has been below 10% since 2002 which is in direct contrast of the Abuja declaration. Good health is essential as it helps reduce youth vulnerability, maximize human capital investment as well us speed up demographic transition. For Kenya to truly harness the demographic dividend and avoid the demographic curse, it is essential for government to make strategic investments aimed at improving the health of young people especially their sexual reproductive health as well as preventing infectious diseases. The current education curriculum does not offer comprehensive sexuality education . In addition, the country has very few youth friendly centers. As a result, young people are at a loss as to where to seek information regarding their health especially reproductive health. There is therefore need for the Kenyan government to invest in an education curriculum that offers comprehensive sexuality education as well as invest in fully equipped youth friendly centers.
Education
Sustainable Development Goal number 4 seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Kenya committed to implementing the sustainable development goals during the 2015 launch. The education ministry is the second highest funded as per the 2016/17 budgetary allocations. However, much of these funds have been embezzled making it impossible to guarantee quality education to all Kenyan youth. There is also a mismatch between the education curriculum and job skill requirements . Quality education for all that is well adapted to current market trends will go a long way in helping harness the demographic dividend in Kenya.
Governance
The African Youth Charter calls on State parties to facilitate the creation or strengthening of platforms for youth participation in decision-making at local, national, regional, and continental levels of governance. One way to achieve this is through financing of youth organizations and initiatives so as to enhance meaningful participation and representation of youth at all levels of governance. Kenya has made tremendous strides in strengthening mechanisms for youth participation. Kenya is among the few countries with a youth policy. The government has also established a National Youth Council, which is the official government organ for youth affairs. In addition, Kenya has a Youth enterprise and development fund which is mandated create employment opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship. However all these initiatives have been dogged by corruption , lack of autonomy and claims of tokenistic engagement. Harnessing the demographic dividend in Kenya needs investments in ensuring participatory, representative and inclusive political processes as well as responsive state institutions.

Economics
Agenda 2063 aspires to have an Africa where development is people-driven, unleashing the potential of its women and youth. Statistics from the African Development Bank indicate that young people constitute about 37% of the working age population, but account for more than 60% of all unemployed people in Africa. In Kenya, youth unemployment is estimated to be as high as 35% , compared to the national unemployment rate of 10%. In addition, 80% of unemployed Kenyans are below 35 years old. Kenya’s burgeoning youth population requires proper jobs, access to credit facilities as well as mentorship in career and entrepreneurship if Kenya is to avoid the demographic curse and harness the demographic dividends.
The narrative of Africa Rising can only be realized if Kenya can avoid the demographic curse by investing in the health, economics, education and governance of her young population. If Kenya adheres to the provisions of the AU roadmap on demographic dividends and invests in the education, health, governance and economics of her young population then she will avoid the demographic curse and in effect manage inflation, economic growth and exchange rate volatility.