Step Up Job Creation Initiatives, Ahmed Tells Adesina

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance has urged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to step up its efforts in creating jobs for youths across the African continent.

This was disclosed by Zainab Ahmed,  the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in her congratulatory message to President of AfDB, Akinwunmi Adesina, who was sworn-in on Tuesday for a five-year second term in office.

Ahmed said infrastructure development, instruments to de-risk investments and promote trade, development in the private sector were needed to enhance job creation.

She explained that these were key factors necessary to deepen job creation and address some of the most challenging issues confronting the continent presently.

The minister said, “The AfDB needs to step up its efforts in helping African countries to create jobs for our youths because it is clear that governments alone cannot do this.

“We truly need this in order to address the problems of unauthorised migration and extremism across the continent.”

She, however, lauded the bank’s quick response to COVID-19 challenges and implored the African leading multilateral financial institution to also look into the health sector to subdue present health challenges facing the continent in order to avert future catastrophe.

“I wish to use this opportunity to urge the bank to also consider intervention in the area of health infrastructure, as this will help both in coping with the present crisis, as well as in preparing for possible future episodes,” the minister added.