“To oversee the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for the sustained growth and contribution of SMEs to Africa’s economic development.”

By 2100 the United Nations estimates that half of the world’s children (17 years and below) will live in Africa. By 2050, Africa will be the region with the largest number of people under the age of 25. These demographic trends herald a productive era for the continent but only if more concerted efforts are made to create economic opportunities that will enable the youth to realise their potential. Given the challenges facing many economies in creating jobs, these opportunities are more likely to arise through entrepreneurship rather than paid employment.

In Zambia, efforts to address unemployment among women, youth and other vulnerable individuals have so far had little impact. Half of the country’s population is below the age of 16 and with nearly 400,000 Zambian youth entering the job market each year (roughly equivalent to the current size of the national civil service – the country’s largest employer), the problem of unemployment and economic marginalisation is only likely to get worse. Zambia must generate over 1,000 new jobs a day just to keep pace with this trend. Clearly, an approach that focuses on non-traditional efforts towards job creation is required. Entrepreneurship is one option.