UN Urges Africa to Boost Growth

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Africa Industrialization Day economic growth that will enable all people on the continent to realize their potential, PrensaLatina reported. “Let us focus on financing the engines of development as a means to realize the full potential of all the people of the continent, especially women and young people, so that they can aspire to a future of peace, dignity and prosperity on a healthy planet,” he said in his message for the date on Sunday. Ban recalled that in Africa the average age is barely 20 years old, so it is crucial to focus on young people, starting with the annual creation of millions of new high-productivity jobs. According to the secretary general, a greater awareness of the importance of mobilizing funding for inclusive and sustainable industrialization is urgently needed. “To achieve this, African nations must adopt transformative policies that promote private sector growth, facilitate business initiatives, and increase investment,” the message reads.