Elumelu, Cindy McCain Address Africa’s Youth Unemployment, Hunger Crisis at UNGA79

During the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), Tony Elumelu, founder of TEF, and Cindy McCain, Executive Director of WFP facilitated high-stakes debate provoked by African youth unemployment and famine. Specifically, the event organized in New York illustrated the interconnected challenge of food insecurity and youth unemployment in Africa.

Elumelu emphasized the role of entrepreneurship in combating these issues, explaining how crises and economic instability result from unemployment. During the occasion, he demonstrated how the TEF had assisted over 7,500 youths engaged in business across Africa, particularly agri-business, since it is two major solutions to unemployment and hunger in Africa. He implored more support and funding to be committed to the youth of Africa to foster the steady formation of the economic and developmental base in the region.

Cindy McCain discussed the further activities of the WFP in post-conflict countries such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo speaking about the ‘‘forgotten’’ emergencies in those countries. She also reminded us that hunger is extreme on the global level at the moment, which worsened because of the conflicts and changes in climate; she insisted that world managers practice innovative work in search of solutions in the long term. At the same time, McCain stated that in light of the growing humanitarian necessity, it is important to focus on partnerships, especially with governments, private companies, and philanthropists.

Elumelu recommended that development aid be done differently and not as an aid for people in need but rather as an investment that addresses causes of hunger and unemployment, with emphasis on climate change innovation and inclusive economic growth. Their dialogue at UNGA79 has been a wake-up call to policymakers and world leaders to undertake sorely needed bold and coordinated actions in addressing these fundamental issues​.