UNFPA promotes the empowerment of young people in order to build resilience, address instability and combat the rise of extremism. We want to create a conducive environment for harnessing the Demographic Dividend and contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The people of West and Central Africa are young. More than 64% are under the age of 24. This youthful population is our region’s brightest hope – but only if we invest in it now. This must start today and ensure long-term, sustainable solutions to the health, education, employment and empowerment issues that hold young people back.
