The Chairman of MTN Group, Mr Mcebisi Jonas, has warned that Africa’s growing youth population could become a source of conflict without adequate investment in education, skills and job creation.
Jonas gave the warning on Monday in Johannesburg while addressing Nigerian fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP 5) during their study visit to MTN Group headquarters.
Speaking on “Africa: Geopolitical and Economic Outlook and the Case for Continental Integration,” he said Africa’s youthful population and abundant mineral resources were major economic advantages that could be lost without deliberate investment in human capital.
“Africa’s youthful population was one of the continent’s major economic advantages, alongside its abundance of critical minerals.
“Demographic growth will only become an asset if governments invest in education, skills development and economic inclusion.
“If we do not do something, it can become the opposite,” Jonas said.
He warned that failure to provide young people with relevant skills and opportunities could fuel frustration, populism, instability and conflict across the continent.
Jonas also called for stronger continental integration, saying Africa could gain greater influence in the global economy by acting collectively rather than negotiating separately with external powers.
He identified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an opportunity for greater economic cooperation and stressed that integration should involve the movement of both goods and people.
The MTN chairman said weak institutions remained a major obstacle to development, warning that strong leaders without strong institutions could lead to dictatorship.
“We build institutions. Without institutions there is no development,” he said.
He also called for greater civic education on elections and citizens’ rights and urged journalists to protect the profession from political and economic capture.
Jonas said MTN’s success was closely linked to Africa’s development, noting, “MTN cannot thrive if Africa does not thrive. We are so embedded in the continent. Our DNA is Africa.”
He urged the fellows to become “selfless thinkers” capable of contributing to Africa’s development beyond narrow national interests.
Earlier, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Ms Nompilo Morafo, said journalism played an important role in shaping society, particularly during challenging times for Africa.
