President Mahama calls for shift to knowledge economy, cites youth interest in tech and creatives

President John Dramani Mahama has called for greater investment in sectors that reflect the changing interests of Africa’s youth, stressing that the continent must embrace the opportunities of a knowledge-driven global economy.

Speaking at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX), President Mahama observed that young people are increasingly pursuing careers in non-traditional areas such as the creative industries, renewable energy, and agri-tech.

“It’s now a knowledge economy. The youth are interested in certain sectors that are not the traditional sectors. And so in the creatives, in the renewable energy space, even if they go for it, they’re looking at agri-tech and other knowledge-driven aspects of those traditional sectors,” he stated.

He highlighted the rapid growth of Africa’s startup ecosystem, with US$4.2 billion raised across the continent in 2024. Fintech alone accounted for nearly 45% of that investment, driven largely by “smart, tech-savvy youth who have seen openings and are taking advantage of it.”

President Mahama further stated that Ghana has experienced a structural shift of its own. In 2015, the services sector overtook agriculture and industry to become the country’s largest economic contributor, signalling a new phase of growth.

He emphasised that governments must support this transition by identifying the areas where young people’s interests lie and ensuring adequate investment flows into those spaces.

According to him, such an approach would not only create jobs but also enhance Africa’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.