The NEF Africa Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Week kicked off on October 7, gathering youth, private sector leaders, and government officials across 15 African countries to discuss how young people can lead the charge towards sustainable development.

Hosted at the Lemigo Hotel, the event marked the beginning of a groundbreaking initiative led by the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

Running until October 18, NEF Africa SDG Week aims to spotlight youth-led innovations that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, with an emphasis on engaging women and underserved communities.

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Sam Yala, President of the AIMS Network, highlighted the importance of empowering young leaders during the event’s opening remarks.

"Through the lens of science and innovation, African youth are uniquely positioned to shape the future. By prioritising collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, we will drive progress towards a sustainable future for Africa,” he said.

The event which is taking place in Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritania, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Somaliland, and South Africa, expects to attract over 5,000 participants and ensure that at least 60 per cent are young people under the age of 35 and 40 per cent of them are women.

Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), said that at the core of Rwanda’s journey are its youth, innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who are propelling the nation forward.

"Rwanda’s transformation over the past few decades stands as a powerful example of visionary leadership, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to progress. With 78 per cent of the population under the age of 35, the future of Rwanda rests in their hands,” said Muhizi.

"The African youth is indeed an asset to the continent&039;s development. By leveraging technology, we can not only close the gap in SDGs achievements but also create scalable solutions that serve millions across not only the African continent but also around the world.”

Muhizi also said that young Africans must be at the forefront of innovation and creativity.

"The energy, strength, and creativity of our young people can lead to great changes. They have the ability to transform industries and communities. There are many opportunities available, and nothing should hold them back. The only thing standing in the way of their creativity and new ideas is themselves.”

Emmeline Nkuzwe Gihozo, a senior student at FAWE Girls’ School, shared how the event inspired her to pursue innovation and leadership.

"What I have learned is that the sky is not the limit, and there are endless opportunities to apply our ideas. I can inspire my peers to think creatively and make a difference. As a computer science student, I plan to tackle the misuse of social media by developing platforms that offer real value and promote innovative thinking among young people,” she said.

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Odira Duncan Ochieng, CEO and founder of Agrisense Technologies, highlighted the importance of digitising the agricultural supply chain to meet the SDGs. Ochieng emphasised the challenges young entrepreneurs face in scaling their innovations due to insufficient financial backing and infrastructure.

"Rwanda has created a conducive environment for startups, but across Africa, we still need more support systems for young innovators, unless we eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, like those seen in Kenya, we will not be able to truly accelerate the growth of young digital innovators. Despite ongoing discussions about supporting youth, real progress will not happen until these barriers are removed,” Ochieng said.

Osten Chulu, Senior Economic Advisor for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Rwanda, underscored the role of the private sector in achieving the SDGs and creating job opportunities for the youth, urging young people to take the initiative and lead innovation rather than solely relying on government support.

"The core message I aimed to convey today is that youth need to take initiative and start thinking outside the box. It’s not solely the government’s responsibility to provide solutions. Young people can tap into the private sector and collaborate with various stakeholders to drive solutions for national development, community growth, and their own personal advancement,” he said.

"There is a need to look beyond agriculture and involve the private sector in job creation. Education should empower youth to create their own opportunities, as relying solely on training for employment can lead to high unemployment if jobs are not available. Empowering innovation through forums like this can play a significant role in generating jobs.”

"Right now, the government cannot provide jobs for everyone. Therefore, we must turn to the next viable option, which is the growth of the private sector. The private sector must expand to accommodate and generate more employment opportunities,” he said.

Youth participants also expressed optimism about using advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive sustainable development. Nkurunziza Radisras, a recent mathematics graduate at AIMs pointed to the potential of AI to solve societal issues.

"The world is rapidly evolving, and we must accelerate the adoption of AI technologies to improve basic needs like education, health, and poverty alleviation. Rwanda’s focus on technology positions us well to lead this revolution,” Radisras said.