Former President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has called for greater investment in quality education and skills development across Africa, arguing that the continent’s ability to compete in the modern economy will depend on how effectively it prepares its young people for future opportunities.
Speaking on August 6, 2026, at the Infra for Africa Forum held alongside the Africa50 Shareholders Meeting, Dr. Kikwete said developing a productive workforce begins long before young people enter the labour market, making education one of the most important investments African nations can make.
He warned that millions of children remain excluded from education, limiting the continent’s future pool of skilled workers and innovators.
According to Dr. Kikwete, about 270 million children worldwide who should be attending school are currently out of the classroom, with Africa accounting for roughly 110 million of them.
“What is even more worrying is that among those who do enrol, nearly one-third do not complete primary education, while many who graduate fail to acquire the knowledge and skills expected at their level of learning,” he said.
He stressed that education systems must move beyond traditional learning models and focus on producing young people capable of critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing global environment.
Dr. Kikwete urged governments and development partners to increase investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), technical and vocational education and training, entrepreneurship, and employability skills.
He noted that formal employment alone will not be sufficient to absorb the growing number of young Africans entering the labour market each year, making entrepreneurship and practical skills increasingly important.
The former president also highlighted the growing significance of digital competencies, saying Africa must equip its youth to participate in the technological revolution shaping the global economy.
He called for stronger efforts to prepare young people to utilise emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), arguing that Africa should aspire to become a creator and exporter of innovation rather than a passive consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
On infrastructure development, Dr. Kikwete said Africa’s ambitious investment agenda should place equal emphasis on human capital development.
While roads, railways, ports and energy projects are essential for economic growth, he argued that their long-term value depends on the skills and capabilities they leave behind.
“Infrastructure projects should not only deliver physical assets. They should also produce engineers, technicians, managers, entrepreneurs and innovators who can drive future development,” he said.
Dr. Kikwete said institutions such as Africa50 play a vital role in mobilising capital for transformative infrastructure projects across the continent.
However, he added that the ultimate measure of success should be whether such investments create jobs, expand economic opportunities and improve livelihoods.
He concluded by describing human capital development as Africa’s most important infrastructure project.
“The greatest infrastructure project in Africa is the development of its people. Africa’s youth should not merely participate in the future global economy; they should help shape it and lead it,” he said.
His remarks come as African governments intensify efforts to harness the continent’s demographic advantage, with young people expected to account for a significant share of the global workforce in the coming decades.
Analysts say strengthening education and skills development will be essential if Africa is to translate its youthful population into sustainable economic growth and competitiveness.
