President John Dramani Mahama has called on world leaders to recognise Africa as the epicentre of global transformation, declaring that the continent’s population growth and youthful energy make it the future of humanity.
Addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 25, Mahama pointed to demographic projections that underscore Africa’s strategic importance.
By 2050, he noted, more than a quarter of the world’s population will live on the continent, with one-third of all young people aged 15 to 24 residing in Africa.
“According to this organisation’s own projections, by the year 2050, more than 25% of the world’s population is expected to come from the African continent. Additionally, by 2050, one- third of all young people, aged 15 to 24, will be residing on the African continent. So, you see, the future is African,” he said.
With passion, Mahama added: “Allow me to say this once again, a little louder for the people in the back. The future is African!.”
He stressed that Africa is already playing a transformative role, serving as a catalyst for human development, economic reform, and environmental sustainability. Yet, he lamented that the continent’s contributions are often overlooked or undervalued due to entrenched biases.
“If this reality—which is fact-based and straightforward—seems provocative or unsettling, perhaps it’s because you’re viewing it through the lens of centuries of racism, colonialism, imperialism, and the resulting implicit bias,” he stated.
Mahama argued that global stability and development in the 21st century will depend on how the world engages with Africa’s youth, invests in its infrastructure, and partners with its governments.
He described the continent not as a burden but as a solution to pressing global challenges.
