Invest in young leaders, Ethiopian PM says

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is on a two-day visit to Kenya, has said African leaders need to invest in the youth to ensure that coming generations succeed.

According to him, the continent faces a myriad of challenges because it lacks leaders to continue with the vision of its founding fathers.

“If existing leaders help the next generation, we will have an emerging Africa.

“The problem in Africa is that existing leaders do not appreciate those who are exiting and they also don’t want to invest in emerging generations like you,” he told students at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday.

The 54 students are part of the Pupils Reward Scheme (PURES) mentorship program under the Presidency.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and the First Lady launched it three years for outstanding Form One students from different schools across the country.

PM Ahmed lauded President Kenyatta for the program saying such initiatives will help raise competent leaders to carry on with the vision of integrating Africa.

Responding to a question on how to deal with challenges as a young leader, the Ethiopian Prime Minister said both the current and past leaders have to work together to achieve desired development.

“To build a house, if someone builds a foundation, the next person must add another block so as to see the house finished. So in Africa, we have to connect both yesterday, today and tomorrow to realize this vision,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed was recently elected as Prime Minister, a week after the ruling coalition nominated him to succeed Hailemariam Desalegn.