Africa Breakfast Conversations: Leaders address trust and youth demographics

At the fourth Africa Breakfast Conversations (ABC) forum held during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, business and policy leaders discussed the requirements for Africa’s future economic stability.

Hackim Abdul, Director of Citi’s Public Sector Group for Africa, emphasized that financial growth is hindered by a lack of trust, citing historical debt exchanges and account freezes as examples of how trust breaches impact deepening financial institutions. Despite these challenges, he noted significant capital movements in strategic sectors, such as Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway and the Lobito Corridor. He also highlighted the potential for increased food security, noting that Africa’s cereal yields are significantly lower than the global average.

Addressing demographic trends, Yasamin Alttahir of The King’s Trust International cautioned that a large youth population does not automatically translate into economic growth. She noted that while over 60% of sub-Saharan Africa is under age 25, the creation of formal jobs—fewer than 3 million annually—fails to meet the needs of the 10 to 12 million young people entering the workforce each year. Alttahir urged leaders to focus on intentional systems and market opportunities rather than relying on passive demographic optimism.