Did you know that young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are said to make up close to 60% of those who are unemployed on the African continent as a whole? That is a jarring statistic indeed. Furthermore, these numbers are set to increase in light of the massive dip that the economy is sure to experience as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the necessary lockdown.
Over the years, the youth have been referred to as a heavy burden on Africa’s economic growth and development. However, the reality is that it is the young entrepreneurs who truly have the power to turn things around.
Innate entrepreneurial spirit
What stands out most about the youth of today is their innate sense of entrepreneurship, their ambition, their creativity, and their drive to transform their ideas into reality. With the right education and mentorship, a large number of our youth will have what it takes to start, build, and nurture businesses that not only contribute favourably to the economy, but that also create jobs for both the young and the old.
Now’s your chance
If this sounds a lot like you and you are keen to get started in terms of uplifting your community and providing workable solutions to the current problems that exist, you may be interested in taking part in the SA Teen Entrepreneur Trust COVID-19 Idea Challenge.
Any high school student from around the globe can take part. You can find more details regarding how to submit your ideas on our website. The long and short of it is to identify a new challenge which has been brought about specifically as a result of COVID-19 and put forward a viable solution.
Here’s to being the driving force behind replenishing the local economy, all the while making your own dreams come true.
