Hosted in the Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre, the 11th annual Oxford Africa Business Forum will bring together distinguished leaders from top companies, innovative start-ups, government, and civil society from across Africa. The Forum is attended by over 400 delegates including business leaders from a variety of sectors, students and alumni from Oxford University and institutions across the globe.

 

This year’s Forum will delve into the opportunities and challenges that Africa’s fast-growing youth population present. More than 200 million Africans, just over 20 per cent of the total population, are aged between 15 and 24. That demographic is expected to grow to 321 million by 2030. How government and business leaders on the continent manage Africa’s 'youth bulge' will determine how economies are able to access the opportunity and navigate the challenge.

 

The continent’s youthful population presents a powerful opportunity for accelerated economic growth and innovation. Yet this demographic also presents economic and social challenges, as well as implications for peace and security. Even though the continent’s economic growth is projected to continue accelerating, predicted growth would not be sufficient to make a dent on unemployment and poverty. Therefore, it is imperative that the challenges around Africa’s growing youth population are tackled by both the private and public sectors.