Mudavadi challenges youth to play leading role in global economic growth

By Peter Ochieng

Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has challenged Kenyan youth to play a leading role in global economic growth.

In a statement as the world marks the 2024 International Youth Day (IYD) today, Mudavadi said half of the people on the planet are 30 or younger, adding that with relevant support, youth can play a transformative role in shaping the global economic landscape.

“United Nations data reveals that 'half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger.' With their numbers, energy, and potential, if our youth are equipped with the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive, they can play a transformative role in shaping the global economic landscape,” said the former Vice President.

“Kenya's young men and women have consistently shown that they possess the potential to build a prosperous nation, demonstrating a deep commitment to the well-being of our country,” he said of Kenya’s youth.

“With their energy, enthusiasm, and determination, all our young people need are the opportunities to flourish. As the Kenya Kwanza government, this remains our unwavering commitment,” he added.

This year's IYD theme is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development," with national celebrations being marked in Mombasa.

The event is marked a few days after Meta, the parent company that owns social media platform, Facebook, introduced two monetisation features, specifically for Kenyan content creators.

They are In-Stream Ads on Facebook and Facebook Ads on Reels. In-stream ads will play before, during, or after on-demand videos, whether it’s pre-recorded content or recordings of previous live streams.

Ads on Facebook Reels will be integrated into original reels, allowing creators to earn money based on the performance of their content.

To qualify for the monetisation features, Kenyan content creators must comply with Facebook's monetisation policies and be at least 18 years old.

In addition, they need a minimum of 5,000 followers. "Every day, we're inspired by the incredible African creators who use Facebook to tell their stories, connect with others, and bring people together,” said Moon Baz, the Global Partnerships Lead for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey (AMET).

In March 2024, President William Ruto welcomed the partnership, saying that collaborations with global digital platforms would help young people exploit their talents.