Human capital development critical to achieving inclusive growth – African leaders
African heads of state have said that human capital development is critical to achieving sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth in Africa.
Their position was made known at the end of a two-day Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The summit, themed “Accelerating Africa’s Economic Growth: Boosting Youth Productivity by Improving Learning and Skills,” was attended by more than 2,000 delegates from 44 African countries, including eight heads of state and government, vice presidents, prime ministers and ministers.
In a declaration read by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the end of the summit, the leaders said that investment in human beings through quality education, health care nutrition, job creation and skills development is necessary for improved social and economic outcomes.
The declaration acknowledged that human capital development in Africa requires much-coordinated financing and efforts to strengthen quantity, efficiency and impact of investment in people.
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The declaration, called the Dar es Salaam Declaration, pledged to prioritize education and skills development, enhance health and well-being, empower women and girls, strengthen research and innovation, promote job creation and economic opportunities, ensure political protection and inclusion, and mobilize resources and partnerships.
The declaration was made at the end of two days of deliberations on the challenges and prospects of human capital in Africa. It is a commitment expressing a desire to act individually and collectively to resolve the challenges the leaders identified in the area of human capital development.
The Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit comes in response to engagements with government focal points on the need to draw attention to the role of human capital in economic growth and elevate the discussion on the importance of investing in people.
