LILONGWE, Malawi May 22, — Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has urged African nations to prioritize investment in human capital, emphasizing ambitious goals such as early childhood development, girls’ education, and the eradication of child marriage by 2030.
President Chakwera made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the 9th African Population Conference on Monday in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. The conference, themed “Road to 2030: Leveraging Africa’s Human Capital to Achieve Transformation in a World of Uncertainty,” has drawn over 600 delegates from Africa and beyond.
In his address, President Chakwera stressed the need for African countries to develop robust education systems that equip their populations to tackle contemporary challenges and thrive in sectors with the greatest potential for rapid and inclusive economic growth. He underscored the importance of recognizing and harnessing the diverse strengths of Africa’s population, including social, cultural, entrepreneurial, artistic, and linguistic intelligence, to drive positive transformation.
The conference, which will conclude on Friday, aims to chart a course for leveraging Africa’s human capital to achieve significant transformation amidst global uncertainties. President Chakwera’s call to action highlights the critical role of education and human capital development in fostering sustainable economic and social progress across the continent.