Last month, news that India had overtaken China as the world’s most populous country sparked widespread furor.

There is a lively debate about the ramifications of this development, both for the country concerned and for the world at large.

However, amid talk of Asia, the demographic future of another continent, Africa, is completely ignored.

Europe would be well advised to also turn its gaze to the continent whose dilemma is so important for the future of Europe and, indeed, of the world.

A quarter of the world’s population will soon be African

A recent study by the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB) revealed that Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia will be the three most populous countries on the continent with a combined population of 600 million in 2035 and 800 million respectively. in 2050.

By the end of the 2030s, the working-age population of sub-Saharan Africa will be one billion people (the current size of India’s working-age population) and home to more than 50% of world youth.

By 2050, approximately one in four people living on this planet will be African.

Population growth has led to significant social and economic developments in China and India. Will this happen in Africa?

Like young people everywhere, young Africans have the right to education and decent work, security and healthy environmental conditions.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face major challenges related to food security, access to water, energy, education, housing, health care, job creation, infrastructure, urbanization and public services.

Large working-age population is good for investment

The silver lining is that the places where most people are of working age are still the best places to invest.

Investment and development, of course, are essential to ensure that population growth rates do not undermine existing efforts to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including the eradication of poverty and hunger. .

Technology and innovation will be key to meeting these challenges and ensuring that Africa reaps the same economic benefits from its changing demographics that China and, to some extent, parts of India have in the past.

That’s why innovation and leadership can make it happen. In partnership with the world’s largest food companies, solutions are to be developed and implemented in the fields of agro-technology and food technology.

Innovative health technologies and telemedicine solutions must be used to meet challenges in healthcare.

Finally, technological infrastructure should be leveraged to reduce inequalities and promote economic growth, for example by using AI-based technologies to promote agriculture, water and energy.

Africa itself is set to become the new start-up hub, with the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs coming from the continent.

Africa is ready to shape our destiny together

We call on EU policy makers to join forces with African leaders to address the continent’s challenges and reap the benefits of Africa’s population growth, create new jobs and ensure long-term economic and social growth. .

Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), Prosperous Africa, Empowered Africa and Feeding the Future are just a few of the international initiatives that are beginning to facilitate foreign investment and innovation in Africa. But we still have a lot of work to do.

In recent years, European leaders, business circles and social organizations have realized that what happens in Africa has a direct impact on their own country.

We have been working in Africa for ten years, and we have no intention of slowing down because we believe that Africa is the future.

It is an incredible, exciting and challenging continent that will shape our common destiny. The sooner we all recognize this, the better.

Yaron Tchwella is the CEO of an organization focused on improving the quality of life in developing countries.