African countries are grappling with hurdles that impede sustainable development in the face of pressing challenges.

Eric Ogunleye, director of the African Development Institute, said this on the sidelines of the ongoing 2024 African Economic Conference (AEC) in Gaborone, Botswana.

Mr Ogunleye named some of the challenges faced by nations on the continent to include skill gaps, weak governance structures, and insufficient technical expertise

He said the ADI, recognising the importance of capacity building, was stepping up efforts to bridge these gaps, particularly in public financial management, digital innovation, climate resilience, and policy formulation.

According to Ogunleye, the VCDA represents a breakthrough in reaching participants in remote areas, ensuring that even the most underserved communities can access the tools needed for economic transformation.

He said the ADI is strengthening economic governance through programmes like the AEC and the Public Financial Management Academy (PFMA) and digital capacity-building efforts.

Mr Ogunleye explained that the ongoing success of this programme was also evident in the ADI-ECAD’s collaboration with global academic institutions, including partnerships with China and Korea.

He said the sectors, which include agribusiness, technology, and green industries, were complemented by mentorship programmes, vocational training, and access to finance, which aim to turn young job seekers into job creators.

He said ADI was also preparing to inaugurate the Youth Community of Practice (Y-CoP), a platform designed to engage Africa’s youth in discussing and addressing pressing economic development issues.

The director said this initiative would allow young people to influence policy, drive innovation, and build resilience in the face of global market shifts and disruptive technologies.

He said that as the continent continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, initiatives like these were vital to ensure that Africa’s potential is realised.

(NAN)