By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Namibia has called on young
people to take an active role in shaping Africa’s future, with Deputy Minister
of Information and Communication Technology Hon. Wenzel Kavaka urging them to
develop the skills, ideas and networks needed to lead the continent’s
transformation.
Kavaka made the call during
the eighth Youth Sustainable Development Conference (YSDC) 2026, held at the
Namibia University of Science and Technology in Windhoek under the theme
“Powering Change.”
He said rapid developments
across Africa in areas such as technology, renewable energy, entrepreneurship
and skills development are creating new opportunities for young people to
contribute to economic and social development.
The Deputy Minister stressed
that Namibia’s development ambitions must translate into meaningful
opportunities for young people to learn, work, establish businesses, innovate
and participate actively in the economy.
He said access to
opportunities must be matched with the necessary skills, information, networks,
financing and platforms to enable young people to take advantage of emerging
possibilities.
Kavaka encouraged
participants at the conference to use the platform to ask questions, build
relationships, challenge existing ideas and turn their ideas into practical
action.
He reminded the youth that
they are not simply waiting for Africa’s future but are already part of
building it.
The Deputy Minister urged
young people to continuously develop their capabilities, create solutions to
local challenges and position themselves to take advantage of opportunities
emerging from Namibia’s and Africa’s broader transformation.
The conference provided a
platform for young people and stakeholders to discuss sustainable development
and the role of youth in driving change across Namibia and the continent.
