The future of our continent lies in its youth's potential - Akon urges African youth to act

Music Superstar Akon, has challenged African youth to play an active role in rebuilding Africa and stop depending on the government's
. He is Senegalese American-born songwriter, singer, and businessman.

The American-born star said this when addressing over two thousand youth from around the continent in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital during the final day of the maiden YouthConnekt Africa Summit which was organized purposely to shape the future of the youth on this resource-rich continent.

Akon said “We've to be the driving force in the rebuilding of Africa. We shouldn't always depend on governments to do it for us. Their job is to make the laws and ensure that there’s accountability for the things that we do,”.

“Personally, When I was growing as a musician, I said to myself I do not want to be remembered for just dancing and singing. Ultimately, I had to figure out what else I can do that will assist me to create a legacy for myself. this hit me in the middle of my first song when the power just went off,” Akon said this while making reference to his $ 1 billion solar projects which is aimed at providing stable power supply to over 600 million Africans.

Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam also known on stage as Akon, is currently the co-founder of the Akon Lighting Africa project which targeted primarily the rural communities that are not connected to electricity and also seeks to make power supply more affordable for the rural folks.

He also challenged Africans in the diaspora to join hands so that we can collectively change the narrative about the African continent while they help us fast-track its economic development.

“when you visit the internet, you'll only see historical images and animals as if Africa is a big jungle. Our continent never gets full credit it deserves in any way why? I urge all filmmakers, Producers, Entertainers, the press and anyone that creates content should take responsibility in redefining our African continent,” he also added.

The 3-day YouthConnekt Africa summit was officially opened on Wednesday under the theme: Realizing Africa’s Youth Potential.

The summit focused on establishing a policy, programs, and partnerships that will help guide the continent to realize its goals of creating at least 54 million jobs that can absorb the fast growing labor force.

Among the participants of the summit are government officials and special guests including Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD and other successful entrepreneurs, artists and some youth opinion leaders from across Africa.