The covid 19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Africa's economy and growth. It has simply widened the inequality gap and exacerbated seemingly perennial dire conditions of poverty, hunger and unemployment on the continent. Africa must create jobs for her millions of unemployed youth in order to stem the growing tide of discontent especially among young people. While governments have the primary responsibility to reduce poverty and create the conducive environment for enterprise to thrive and multiply and create jobs and opportunities, it is pertinent for non state actors including private sector and the social sector (especially faith communities) to play major role in addressing some of the gaps in systems and governance that would address this.
Our session will focus on Youth, Technology, Hustle and Bustle in Africa: expanding roles for Faith communities in driving innovation and enterprise? Our panelists are people who have a good grounding in enterprise development, business governance, policy, technology innovation as well as in engagement with faith communities for development. They shall discuss how technology is reinventing the old concept of manna coming down from heaven by exploring the world of possibilities and opportunities waiting to be unlocked and unleashed through technology driven innovations and enterprise. How faith based NGOs are addressing stereotypes and dogma to promote an economy that prioritizes gender and youth inclusion.
The panel will also explore the roles of faith NGOs in addressing the issues of capacity and integrity deficit among young people which poses a hindrance to accessing credit, jobs and leverages. We shall also explore ideas and information on how government agencies and the financial sector can help young people to initiate bankable ideas, build viable enterprise and access public and private support/accelerator initiatives.
This session is hosted by Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA, Lagos)
