Africa’s 1 billion youth need jobs, open borders ~ Gabby

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko Esq., Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), has called on African leaders to take urgent and concrete steps toward continental integration.

Accordingly, he warned that youth unemployment poses the greatest threat to the continent’s stability and prosperity.

He made these comments at the Presidential & Business Leaders’ Dialogue, held on Day Three of the 2026 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD). The dialogue, held under the theme “Empowering SMEs, Women & Youth in Africa’s Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade,” took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Friday, 6th February, 2026.

Mr. Otchere-Darko stressed that Africa’s borders, rather than protecting sovereignty, are restricting economic growth and undermining the potential of the continent’s one billion-strong youth population. “You cannot have sovereignty when you don’t have economic leverage,” he said. “If we don’t open our borders and enable our young people to trade, innovate, and move freely, we are limiting the future of Africa.”

Mr. Otchere-Darko highlighted the historical agreements aimed at African integration, including the establishment of the Africa Standards Organization in 1977, the Economic Community of Africa in 1991, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2018. Despite these initiatives, he noted, implementation has lagged, with many protocols, including the Free Movement Protocol, yet to be ratified by the required number of member states.

“The story is always the same,” he said. “Leaders meet, sign treaties, then return home. Two years later, they meet again to sign the same protocols. Enough is enough. Our borders today restrict the substance of our sovereignty. True sovereignty comes from economic power, not arbitrary barriers.”

Mr. Otchere-Darko also sounded the alarm on Africa’s demographic growth, noting that by 2040, the continent will have an estimated 1.3 billion young people entering the workforce. “Our economy is big enough to create jobs for them, but we must act decisively. We cannot leave a generation frustrated and unproductive. Opening borders, enabling trade, and fostering continental collaboration is no longer optional—it is an urgent necessity.”

He drew a sharp contrast with global developments, pointing out that while Europe and the United States are raising barriers to protect their own economies, African countries continue to impose internal restrictions that hinder progress. “Two weeks ago, the European Union signed a free trade agreement with India, population 1.5 billion. Africa has the same population and a growing workforce. Our borders should not block our progress,” he argued.

Mr. Otchere-Darko urged African governments, business leaders, and development partners to prioritize implementation over rhetoric. He called on all stakeholders to embrace initiatives that enable youth empowerment, regional trade, and industrial growth, emphasizing that the future of Africa depends on action today, not delayed promises.

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