Africa’s large youth bulge is one of the key issues facing the continent, as generating youth employment is crucial to economic growth and democratic stability. The facts are staggering – in South Africa, for example, youth (ages 16-35) make up about 35% of the total population and 60% of the working population, and many are unemployed. Some youth entrepreneurs are fighting this trend by establishing their own businesses and creating jobs, while trying to deal with a difficult environment for doing business.
CIPE recently worked with the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to identify barriers young entrepreneurs face and determine strategies to improve business development and stimulate job creation among the country’s youth. The study looked closely at 25 entrepreneurs (under age 35) in Soweto Township, who run their businesses in an environment of overregulation, weak infrastructure, and high crime rates. While the government of South Africa appears committed to promoting youth entrepreneurship, these businesspeople are waiting to see the benefits.
Ann Bernstein, the Executive Director of CDE, recently wrote an article in South Africa’s Business Day calling for local government officials to partner with youth entrepreneurs in designing policies that help business thrive. Youth entrepreneurs “need to organize and make sure their concerns are heard where it counts in local and national government.” CIPE has been supporting CDE to mobilize and train Soweto’s youth entrepreneurs to advocate for a better business environment. Strengthening the voice of youth entrepreneurs in the democratic process will lead to better policies and a stronger private sector, which will help South Africa prosper.
Published Date: June 11, 2007