Hon. Gitonga Mukunji is proudly representing Kenya 🇰🇪 at the Youth Konnect Africa Summit 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda 🇷🇼. This prestigious forum, themed “Jobs for Youth through Innovative Skills”, brings together leaders, policymakers, and youth from over 40 African countries to discuss and advance solutions for creating employment opportunities through innovation and skills development.

A Platform for Africa’s Youth

The Youth Konnect Africa Summit is a significant event that highlights the immense potential of Africa’s youth in driving the continent’s socio-economic transformation. Hon. Gitonga Mukunji’s participation reflects Kenya’s commitment to empowering its young population and addressing the critical challenges they face.

Key Themes Addressed by Hon. Gitonga Mukunji

1. Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection
   • Hon. Gitonga emphasized the importance of addressing issues around patents and technology theft, which hinder African youths from fully benefiting from their innovations.
   • Stronger policies and frameworks are needed to protect intellectual property and encourage creativity.
2. Internet Connectivity
   • Affordable and reliable internet is a cornerstone for innovation. Hon. Gitonga highlighted the need for improved internet infrastructure across the continent to empower youth with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.
3. Leveraging Africa’s Youthful Population
   • With 70% of Africa’s population under the age of 30, Hon. Gitonga pointed out that the continent’s greatest asset is its youth.
   • He stressed the urgency of equipping young people with innovative skills and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.

Building Networks Across Africa

During the forum, Hon. Gitonga Mukunji engaged with peers and leaders from diverse African nations, exchanging ideas and best practices on:

• Fostering innovation ecosystems for job creation
• Addressing barriers to youth entrepreneurship
• Strengthening collaboration between governments and the private sector to support young innovators

A Vision for Africa’s Future

In his address, Hon. Gitonga shared his optimism for the future of the continent:

“The hope for Africa lies in its youthful population. If well utilized, our youth can transform the continent into a hub of innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. The time to invest in them is now.”

He called for deliberate action to harness the potential of Africa’s youth through education, skills development, and access to resources.

Kenya’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment

Hon. Gitonga’s participation in this forum underscores Kenya’s dedication to addressing youth unemployment and creating opportunities for young people to thrive. Initiatives like the Youth Konnect Africa Summit provide a platform for Kenyan youth to learn, innovate, and connect with their peers across the continent.

Looking Ahead

As the summit concludes, Hon. Gitonga Mukunji is committed to bringing back actionable insights and best practices to implement policies that:

• Enhance innovation hubs for Kenyan youth
• Address the digital divide and improve internet accessibility
• Protect young innovators and promote entrepreneurship

Please follow and like us: