The East African Business Council has today held discussions with TradeMark Africa to collaboratively organize a youth Collaborative Learning and Adoption (CLA) event aimed at empowering youth champions to navigate opportunities and trade processes within the AfCFTA, which is scheduled for June of this year.
Mr. John Bosco Kalisa, the CEO of EABC, reiterated his unwavering commitment to advocating for youth inclusion within the AfCFTA framework. He underscored the urgent need to address challenges impeding youth from uptaking the opportunities presented under AfCFTA, citing that while 3.1 million jobs are created annually in Africa, a staggering 10 to 12 million youths remain underemployed or unemployed.
Ms. Evelyne Wangu, Programme Manager for Inclusive Trade at TradeMark Africa, highlighted that the event would capacitate youth to identify opportunities across sectors under the AfCFTA protocol on women and youth in trade.
Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, youth will gain invaluable insights for leveraging AfCFTA toward economic growth and prosperity. She further stated TradeMark Africa’s commitments for future collaboration with EABC on youth engagement initiatives to enhance trade and investment in the Region.
Mr. Moses Kanyisigye, the coordinator of SMEs and youth at EABC, said that this collaboration comes at the right time when EABC have started to implement strategies to demystify the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
The event will convene youth organizations and representatives, Government bodies, Regional trade organizations, and Development Partners in the EAC Region