KAIPTC, PRIO and ASE call for strategic investment in Africa’s youth to unlock demographic dividends and prevent instability

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in partnership with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the African School of Economics (ASE), has urged sustained investment in Africa‘s growing youth population to prevent instability and harness long-term economic, social, and political benefits.

The call followed a two-day end-of-project workshop held from November 17 to 18 in Accra, concluding a multi-year research initiative titled “Unlocking Sub-Saharan Africa’s Demographic Future: From Youth Bulges’ Curse to Demographic Dividends”, supported by the Norwegian Research Council. The project examined how Sub-Saharan Africa can transform its large youth population, over 60 per cent under 25, into a force for prosperity rather than conflict.

Stakeholders from government, civil society, research institutions, youth groups, and development partners stressed the need for evidence-based policies expanding opportunities in education, employment, leadership, and gender empowerment. Gender-responsive approaches were highlighted as essential, as many youth programmes currently overlook young women.

Youth leaders participating in group sessions proposed priorities including strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems, addressing skills mismatches, expanding digital innovation programmes, and reforming national youth policies to align with modern realities.

Panels featuring experts from PRIO, ASE, and KAIPTC examined the links between demographic change and peace, security, democratic participation, labour markets, and social resilience, highlighting that unmet youth expectations can escalate unrest, while meaningful engagement fosters stability.

Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, Commandant of KAIPTC, noted that Africa’s demographic reality presents both a challenge and a historic opportunity.

“Africa’s demographic future will be shaped not by numbers but by choices,” he said, emphasising that strategic investment in education, skills, gender equality, and inclusive governance could turn the youth bulge into a key advantage, while failure risks deeper inequality, unemployment, and instability. He called for stronger partnerships among research institutions, governments, regional bodies, and youth organisations.

Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr John Mikal Kvistad, reaffirmed Norway’s support for KAIPTC and stressed the importance of data-driven policymaking. He highlighted that Africa’s youth can become powerful agents of growth and stability if governments invest in opportunities, inclusion, and gender empowerment.

Prof. Henrik Urdal of PRIO, lead researcher on the project, noted that demographic dividends extend beyond the economic dimension to political and social gains, including improved civic participation, inclusive norms, and stronger governance systems.

The workshop concluded with a roadmap recommending gender-responsive education reforms, youth-inclusive governance systems, scaling up employment and skills development programmes, and strengthened partnerships among governments, researchers, and youth-led organisations. The outcomes aim to support ongoing discussions within the African Union, ECOWAS, and national governments on planning for Africa’s demographic transition.