Moscow:First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has emphasized the need for bolstered cooperation between African and Russian youth, particularly in the realms of education, entrepreneurship, and technology. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Youth Forum's opening ceremony at MGIMO University, Ndaitwah underscored the importance of providing young people with opportunities to convert their skills into employment and economic advancement.
According to NAMPA, Ndaitwah highlighted that young people should be seen not only as future leaders but as active partners in tackling present development challenges. He addressed the youth, stating, "You are not only the leaders of tomorrow. You are the partners of today."
The youth forum is being conducted alongside the Russia-Africa Summit, under the theme 'For Peace, Security and Development.' Ndaitwah is part of the Namibian delegation, which is led by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, attending the third summit in Russia.
Ndaitwah reflected on the historical ties between Namibia and Russia, particularly the support from the former Soviet Union during Namibia's liberation struggle. He emphasized the potential of Africa's young population, urging governments and partners to focus on education, employment, and entrepreneurship investments.
He noted that Africa's demographic landscape, with a median age of about 19, contrasts sharply with Europe's median age of 43. In Namibia, the 2023 census revealed that over 71% of the population is under 35. Ndaitwah described this youthful demographic as both a source of energy and a responsibility, stressing the importance of learning, working, creating, and leading.
Ndaitwah identified key domains such as entrepreneurship, new media, artificial intelligence, women's leadership, and diplomacy as crucial areas for collaboration. He advocated for increased partnerships between Russian and African universities, enabling joint research and solutions in sectors like water, energy, health, and agriculture.
He also pointed out that over 37,000 young Africans are currently studying at Russian universities, calling for an expansion of the existing educational cooperation between the two regions.