President John Dramani Mahama has warned that Africa’s rapidly growing youth population could become a significant challenge if the continent fails to create enough opportunities for young people. He stressed that without urgent action, Africa risks widespread unemployment, economic instability, and social unrest.
Speaking at the Africa Business Forum 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Mahama called for immediate steps to add value to Africa’s natural resources as a key strategy for addressing youth unemployment. He emphasized that instead of exporting raw materials, African economies must invest in local production, industrialization, and entrepreneurship to create jobs and foster sustainable economic growth.
He pointed to Ghana’s cocoa industry as a prime example, highlighting its vast potential for job creation. He revealed that although Ghana has the capacity to process 500,000 tonnes of cocoa, it is currently processing only 200,000 tonnes. This, he noted, is due to inefficiencies within the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which prioritizes trading raw cocoa beans for immediate foreign exchange rather than investing in local processing.
“We have the capacity to process almost 500,000 tonnes of cocoa, but we are not processing that much. We are processing about 200,000 tonnes because COCOBOD, which needs restructuring, believes that it gets immediate foreign exchange when the beans are traded. They sell forward and get the money in advance before even exporting a single bean,” President Mahama stated.
He explained that by prioritizing value addition and local processing, Ghana could create thousands of jobs and significantly boost economic growth. He also stressed the importance of situating processing facilities close to cocoa farms, which would create direct employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, particularly for young people in rural farming communities.
President Mahama also expressed optimism about the Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire Cocoa Initiative, a strategic partnership between the two nations, which together produce about 80% of the world’s cocoa. He said this initiative could serve as a model for other African nations, demonstrating how regional cooperation, resource management, and value addition can significantly increase employment opportunities.
“If we coordinate and work together, not only in terms of improving production but also in processing and adding value, we will create more jobs for our young people,” he stated.
His warning comes amid growing concerns about youth unemployment in Africa, which remains one of the continent’s most pressing challenges. According to recent African Union (AU) reports, over 60% of Africa’s unemployed population consists of young people, many of whom struggle to secure jobs despite having university degrees and technical skills. Similarly, the World Bank has cautioned that if the trend continues, Africa could face a youth bulge crisis that threatens economic progress and social stability.
With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the demand for jobs will continue to increase. Without urgent interventions, millions of young Africans could be left unemployed, leading to rising poverty, crime rates, and political instability.
President Mahama’s message at the Africa Business Forum 2025 aligns with broader calls for African governments to adopt policies that prioritize industrialization, support entrepreneurship, and invest in sectors with high job creation potential. Many economic experts have urged African leaders to shift away from reliance on raw material exports and instead develop local industries that can produce finished goods for both domestic and international markets.
As Ghana’s President, Mahama has been a strong advocate for economic transformation, particularly through agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Under his leadership, Ghana has implemented industrial policies aimed at boosting local production, increasing investment in agro-processing, and creating more employment opportunities for young people.
Beyond cocoa, President Mahama also highlighted other key industries in Africa that have untapped potential for job creation. He mentioned gold, oil, bauxite, and timber, arguing that these resources, if processed locally, could contribute significantly to economic growth and employment generation. He emphasized that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead develop industries that produce refined products for both local and international markets.
He pointed out that technology and digital innovation are also crucial in tackling youth unemployment. He urged African governments to invest in digital infrastructure, support tech startups, and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to equip young people with the skills needed for the evolving job market.
“In today’s world, technology is the key to economic growth. We must invest in digital transformation, equip our youth with the necessary skills, and create an environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship,” he stated.
Mahama also called for stronger public-private partnerships to drive industrialization and job creation. He explained that governments alone cannot solve the unemployment crisis, and collaboration with the private sector, investors, and development partners is essential to expand industries and create sustainable jobs.
He further emphasized the role of education and vocational training in preparing Africa’s youth for employment. He encouraged African countries to revamp their educational systems to focus more on practical skills, technical education, and entrepreneurship, rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge.
“We must rethink our education systems to align with the job market’s demands. Vocational training, entrepreneurship, and digital skills must be prioritized so that young people can be self-reliant and innovative,” he added.
President Mahama’s address at the Africa Business Forum 2025 is expected to spark further discussions on how African economies can industrialize, create jobs, and ensure sustainable growth. His message is clear:
Africa cannot afford to keep exporting raw resources while its young population struggles with unemployment. The time to act is now.
