By Kovimariva Samuel Mungunda
“Changing the Narrative of an African Child — One Deal at a Time.”
Introduction: A New Season for Africa
Africa is on the brink of a transformative era. With abundant natural resources and a youthful population, the continent has long been a player in global markets. However, the focus has often been on preparing the African child for labor rather than leadership. It is time to shift this mindset through strategic repositioning, innovation, and unity.
An open invitation is extended to policymakers, business leaders, youth, and change-makers to collaborate in shaping a new Africa.
Energy, Investment & Banking: Africa’s Power Levers
Energy, investment, and banking are not just essential components of modern economies; they are also key global influencers. The control and influence wielded in these sectors can shape entire economies and policies, determining the leaders of nations.
Youth must no longer be trained solely for job roles; instead, they must be equipped to lead in structuring deals, advising governments, driving fintech innovations, and shaping transformative energy policies.
An Example of Regional Leadership: Namibia & Botswana’s Oil Refinery Vision
A significant moment in regional cooperation was marked by the recent visit of President Duma Boko of Botswana to Namibia. Discussions centered around the potential collaboration in developing an oil refinery, which could set a precedent for sustainable value-chain investments in Southern Africa.
This initiative goes beyond economic prospects; it signifies the region’s initial steps towards fostering leadership capacity, technical expertise, and long-term collaboration. To ensure its success, the active involvement of youth at all stages, from conception to execution, is imperative.
A call is made to the governments of Namibia and Botswana to prioritize youth engagement in such strategic projects. Current leaders must ensure succession planning through mentorship, skills transfer, and shared leadership opportunities.
Building a Future-Ready African Workforce
It is essential to prepare Africa’s youth for leadership roles in industries rather than simply inheriting them without the necessary skills, networks, or platforms. To compete in future global markets in energy, finance, and investment, the following steps must be taken:
Establish sector-specific mentorship and leadership programs.
Incorporate youth advisory councils in national and regional projects.
Create Pan-African investment clubs for young professionals.
Invest in education focused on financial, energy, and fintech sectors aligned with future markets.
Promote African languages, cultures, and regional unity while fostering global competitiveness.
In the words of Dr. Sam Nujoma, “A united people, fighting for a common goal, will always emerge victorious.” Our collective goal must be economic sovereignty, shared leadership, and mutual prosperity.
A New Tone for African Thought Leadership
Let the focus of my articles and endeavors be on liberating minds, changing narratives, and inspiring constructive dialogues rather than fostering conflict. They should serve as a call to African leaders to mentor the next generation, share wisdom and wealth, and shape economies that reflect our unity, resilience, and aspirations.
This is about empowering the African child not by excluding others, but by rightfully claiming our place at global decision-making tables. It is about highlighting what Africa has been missing and the potential we can achieve through collaboration.
Conclusion: It Starts With Us
Africa’s most valuable asset is its young people, who have the potential to become the originators of deals, strategists in investment, policymakers in energy, and pioneers in fintech. However, this transformation necessitates bold leadership, intentional mentorship, and youth-focused succession planning.
It is incumbent upon our leaders to prioritize this agenda, and the youth will hold them accountable with wisdom, respect, and unity.
Let us embrace this new narrative for Africa’s collective advancement.
