World Trade Organisation Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has reiterated that Africa's young people are its greatest resource in its bid to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She made the statement during a panel discussion at UBA's Africa Day hosted by Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) & Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation. 

"Our youths are what we have. Our youth are gold if we can mobilise them productively. ...African and its youth can be part of the present and a very important part of the future. We have an opportunity to change and transform our continent. The youths should make a difference. We need to create growth and jobs. To do so, we need to improve the growth of SMEs," she said.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also urged young people not to be averse to risk, stressing that they should be open to trying new things. She went on to cite her emergence as Director-General of WTO as a benefit of her willingness to try something new.

The other eminent African on the panel were  H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation; and Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, International Finance Corporation.

The virtual event saw the leaders highlight targeted steps that are being developed to address other areas on the continent such as economy, finance, health, safety and other pertinent topics in the African continent as they discussed the way forward to achieving the goal of sustainable development in Africa.

This year, Africa is celebrating the Day under the theme ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want’. The objective of this year's theme is to enable African Union and Member States to reflect on the role of culture in the continent’s development and position the sector in its rightful place.

By this, Cultural and Creative Industries - encompassing Arts and Culture; Health, Wellness and Post COVID-19 Response; African Languages; History and Oral Traditions, and Heritage - will be placed at the forefront of the African Union and its member states activities through the course of the year.

The UBA commemorative event had the theme, Africa to the World under the banner of its "UBA Africa Conversations"

Also speaking to the youth of Africa, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame called upon them to cultivate right mindsets and be well disposed to serving humanity. 

"As a young person, what do I want in life? There is something you must give yourself that will help you get to where you want to get to. If you want to help others, you must have something. You can't give what you don't have. You must have something to give which will also benefit yourself.

"Others cannot give you what you want. Challenge yourself. Don't expect too much from others. This is how people from their youth will build themselves well and to serve others well. It is a case of mindset. I wish our young people will be different," he said.

Speaking in a similar vein, Makhtar Diop said "Don't let anybody set your limits. Whether limits for you or for your country. Never accept anyone limiting your aspiration. Individual success is only valid as part of a collective success. Try to learn that you don't know a lot. I am learning everyday, including from you, the youth."

Delivering his opening remarks at the event, Mr. Tony Elumelu explained that this is the third edition of UBA Africa Conversations which brings leaders to discuss the most pressing issues confronting Africa and its people particularly youths.

Proffering solutions to insecurity bedeviling various regions of the continent, President Kagame said it was about time leaders at all levels looked into the root causes of the problem. 

He went on to note that: "We should first ask ourselves what should have been done to prevent insecurity and be intentional about resolutions we come up with to solve identified problems. We need to adjust our mindset. We need to put in place good politics and policies. There are many internal issues and external issues also. We can't switch off conflicts or crises unless you address the root cause of the crises.

"We need to walk the talk. We talk all the time at different meeting to address various issues but it keeps going around and bringing us back to where we started. We need to be more serious and apply a sense of urgency. We have crises. We have poverty to address. But we also we have opportunities across the continent with women and youths and also to build systems. While we are at it, it's important we capitalise on opportunities for economic growth like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) whose benefits can be maximized when there is peace and stability in countries.

"The AfCTA that has been created must be capitalised upon so we can benefit from it rather than just facing it in name. We can't realise the benefit unless countries work together in peace and we have stability.

"We are doing good things on one hand but at the same time, we miss the opportunity to make them count. We need to do more with the things that give us the results so that it doesn't end up being an academic exercise," he said.

When asked about steps taken by the IFC to enhance internet connectivity on the continent with a view to helping youth leverage technology, Mr Diop revealed that plans are in place to boost connectivity in the continent with submarine cables. 

According to him: "The pandemic showed how much we need technology. How can we enhance internet connectivity on the continent to assist our young ones leverage technology? By the end of this year, 100 terabytes of submarine internet cable will be coming to the continent. In a year and a half, another 180 terabytes will arrive the continent. So 300 terabytes will be on the continent by the end of 2023, that is 30 times what we have today."

He also reminded young people on the importance of servitude and working with others reiterating that individual success is only valid if it is a part of collective success.

"We can best of service if we work together and have the wisdom of listening and learning from others."

On his part, Dr. Ghebreyesus urged youths to possess the right mindset, stressing that mindset is everything. 

According to him: "Mindset is key and one of the right mindsets I cherish is serving your community in good faith, that mindset can take you anywhere. The self-belief that you are capable is important, and learning how to work with others is key." 

Please watch full video of the event above for more on this enlightening conversation from 28:00".