By Fahim Muyingo
The Secretary General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), Hon. Dr. Abbas Agaba, has called for stronger cooperation between Africa and the Arab World to expand opportunities for young people through skills development, workforce mobility and economic integration.
Dr. Agaba made the call yesterday while participating as a panellist on the closing day of the Future of Education in Africa Conference 2026, held at the National ICT and Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala.
The conference, held under the theme “The Future African Workforce: Education at the Intersection of AfCFTA, Innovation and Employment,” brought together policymakers, education experts, development partners, stakeholders and youth leaders to explore strategies for equipping Africa’s workforce with relevant skills and competencies for emerging economic opportunities.
Dr. Agaba participated in a panel discussion titled “Connecting Africa and the Arab World: Youth Skills, Mobility and Economic Integration for the Future Workforce,” which examined the role of cross-regional partnerships in unlocking opportunities for young people.
The discussion highlighted the need to bridge the gap between education and employment by aligning skills development with labour market demands, technological advancements and emerging economic opportunities.
“Our young people must not only be prepared to seek employment; they must also be equipped with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to create employment and contribute meaningfully to the development of their societies,” Dr. Agaba emphasised.
He noted that stronger cooperation between Africa and the Arab World could create new opportunities for young people through skills exchange, knowledge transfer, professional mobility and cross-border partnerships.
“Africa and the Arab World have enormous potential to achieve more when their young people are connected. We need to move beyond geographical boundaries and build partnerships that allow our youth to learn from one another, share expertise and participate in the opportunities available across both regions,” he said.
The panel further underscored workforce mobility as an important driver of economic integration, enabling young people to access employment opportunities, exchange expertise and contribute to development across national and regional borders.
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening new possibilities for trade, investment and regional cooperation, the development of relevant skills and investment in human capital remain essential to ensuring that young people can benefit from the expanding economic landscape.
Dr. Agaba’s participation reinforced AAYC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between African and Arab youth, facilitating knowledge exchange and advancing initiatives that expand opportunities for young people across the two regions.
Through its mandate of promoting Peace, Unity and Development, the Afro-Arab Youth Council continues to champion partnerships and programmes that empower young people to become active participants in economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development.
As Africa and the Arab World navigate an increasingly interconnected global economy, stronger partnerships, shared opportunities and an empowered young generation will be critical to shaping their common future.
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