Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. On the second day of TICAD9 in Yokohama, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh met with Japan’s Foreign Minister, forging new pathways to empower Africa’s youth through enhanced educational and sectoral collaborations.
The Chief Minister also invited Japan to attend the Sierra Leone Investment Forum taking place the next day, aimed at encouraging more private sector involvement.
Sierra Leone’s approach at TICAD9 is based on the need for action now. With a population made up mostly of young people, the country is building systems that give them access to the tools, networks and spaces they need immediately. This includes stronger partnerships with countries like Japan and practical efforts to connect education, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Sierra Leone, like many African countries, has a very young population. Around 70 percent of its people are under 30. In contrast, less than 20 percent of Japan’s population is under 25. This difference is a key reason why youth and opportunity remain a central theme for Sierra Leone’s presence at TICAD9.
Later in the day, Dr Sengeh joined a panel hosted by UNIDO, where he spoke about the role of youth in industry. He explained how Sierra Leone is using a live innovation model through regulatory sandboxes, already active in education and financial services. He also spoke about using digital systems to help reduce trade barriers under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He held several high-level meetings throughout the day with leaders from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Zambian government. A shared focus in all meetings was the importance of involving more young people in leadership and development processes.
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