NAIROBI, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday launched a new job creation program as he called on African countries to invest more in its youth.
Kenyatta said the Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Works Kenya platform aims to work closely with technical colleges and linking the youth to the job market.
"I urge Africa to invest in the youth and we will become a continent of hope, dignity and prosperity," Kenyatta said when he launched a public-private-partnership program that brings together Mastercard Foundation, Kenyan banks and the government to support job creation by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to the tune of more than 1 billion U.S. dollars.
The president said he was committed to keeping up the momentum to create more jobs for the youth in Kenya and would each year host a summit on jobs to engage directly with young people.
According to Kenyatta, the youth are Africa's biggest asset and governments should focus necessary policy attention on them.
Kenyatta said the majority of Africa's population is composed of the youth, persons below 25 years of age and that is why all policy decisions must give them due consideration.
In Kenya alone, he said, there are 17 million children in primary and secondary schools, giving a true picture of Africa's youth bulge.
