In our world today, we are about to experience an incredible and earth-shaking is event. An event that has the potential to end poverty for ever in sub-Saharan Africa and many similar countries and thus an event with the potential to end world poverty. This mind boggling event is the current changes in the world population, where young people are the majority of people existing today, and where these young people have the potential to bring about extraordinary economic growth within their various countries.

As we had discussed earlier, young people make up more than half of the population of the world. In Africa, the number of people under the age of 50 constitute 90% of the continent’s population. These sheer numbers are unprecedented. Never before has there been a youth population of such magnitude.

What does this mean? Simply, Africa is on the cusp of greatness. It's population structure is in the process of changing, and it is poised to go through a transition. This teeming youth population has the potential of catapulting the continent into the realm of great prosperity, if the right measures are taken. Economic growth and prosperity will follow only if Africa is able to take full advantage of this exciting opportunity. Young people are at the very center of all this, and this and subsequent generations could possibly change the economic landscape of Africa for a long time to come.

It is crucial for every young person in Africa – and indeed, the world- to be thoroughly informed about this all important phenomenon. Over the next series of posts, we will be discussing these changes and their potential consequences in great detail. Stay with us. Let us know what you think every step of the way- leave us your comments!