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Enacy Mapakame

US-based Zimbabwean youths have launched a non-profit organisation known as Annot Inc, dedicated to fostering collaboration between young people and entrepreneurs in the United States and Africa.

The initiative seeks to capitalise on the youth demographic by empowering young people and entrepreneurs around the world to exchange ideas, collaborate and access capital to run projects that promote economic growth in Africa.

Africa has a burgeoning population of young people presenting both challenges and opportunities for economic empowerment and education. Today, a quarter of the global population, 1,8 billion people, are between the ages of 15 and 35; the largest generation of youth the world has ever known.

In Africa alone, the youth population is expected to double to more than 830 million by 2050. The need for sustainable solutions to address unemployment, underemployment, and limited educational opportunities is more pressing than ever.

A recent Africa Youth Survey underscored the paramount importance of job opportunities for African youth. 

However, despite the continent’s demographic advantage, access to education remains a significant barrier, with nearly half the young people aged 15 to 17 not attending school in Sub-Saharan Africa. This educational deficit perpetuates cycles of poverty and economic disparity across the region.

According to Annot founder and president Ms Chiedza Juru, the organisation’s vision is to facilitate youth-led partnerships across continents to ignite connections, nurture knowledge exchange, and drive economic growth through educational initiatives, youth engagement programmes, training opportunities, and diaspora engagements.

“Young people are invaluable assets, bringing energy, talent, and creativity to the job market. Their motivation serves as the engine driving countries to grow, innovate, and prosper.

“What truly excites me about Annot is the opportunity to cultivate partnerships between the US and Africa for the benefit of young Africans, while also tapping into the potential of diaspora communities to help shape the Africa we envision,” she said.

Ms Juru added that while Africa has made strides in harnessing its potential, it has yet to fully tap into the wealth of knowledge and resources within its diaspora communities. Historically, the migration of Africans has resulted in brain drain, but there exists a unique opportunity to reverse this trend and catalyse brain gain by engaging the African diaspora in initiatives aimed at driving economic growth and development.

At the core of Annot’s mission are four main program pillars: education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and diaspora engagement.

Through educational scholarships, mentorship programmes, and exchange initiatives, Annot seeks to provide access to education for out-of-school children and youth while fostering connections between African and American universities.

Additionally, Annot’s youth programmes aim to cultivate a network of future leaders capable of addressing global challenges through dialogues, policy discussions, and empowerment initiatives. By providing platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing, Annot empowers young people to drive economic development in their communities.

Furthermore, recognising the entrepreneurial spirit shared by African and US small business owners, Annot offers capacity-building training, mentorship, and market development programs to support aspiring entrepreneurs in both regions.

By leveraging the expertise and resources of the African diaspora, Annot facilitates strategic partnerships and investment opportunities, driving forward economic growth and development.