South Africa emphasises significant contribution of youth to innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa

At the Youth in Innovation Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina emphasised the significant contribution of youth to innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa. 

In her speech, she called on governments, businesses and educational institutions to provide more support to young entrepreneurs to help them turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures. This is reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

The symposium aims to empower young innovators by exploring how new technologies can address important challenges such as food security, poverty and climate change. 

Gina predicted that by 2050, Africa will account for more than a quarter of the world's youth population, which presents a huge opportunity for socio-economic transformation. She also highlighted the continent's digital advances and the positive impact of artificial intelligence initiatives.

In addition, Gina noted South Africa's leading role in the G20 and BRICS. She emphasised that initiatives such as the BRICS Young Scientists Forum and the Young Innovators Award celebrate the contribution of young people to socio-economic development through technology.

"In fostering South-South Cooperation under our BRICS engagements annually, BRICS nations convenes the BRICS Young Innovation Prize where young innovators from the BRICS nations are recognised," she said.