In response to Africa’s mounting population challenges, the African Union (AU) Commission has highlighted a series of strategic measures during the Fifth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Health, Nutrition, Population, and Drug Control (STC-HNPDC-5) held from 5-9 August 2024 in Addis Ababa, under the theme “Cultivating Wellness in Africa: Holistic Approaches to Health, Nutrition, Population, Drug Control, Crime Prevention, and Education”. These initiatives aim to foster sustainable development, enhance public health, and address socio-economic disparities exacerbated by rapid population growth.

H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, stressed the urgency of aligning population policies with the continent’s evolving demographics, stating, "Addressing population issues is crucial for harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend. Member States must prioritize education, employment, and youth empowerment to drive socio-economic progress."

The STC-HNPDC-5 sessions on Population emphasized the far-reaching impact of rapid population growth on education, healthcare, and economic stability. To manage these effects, Member States were urged to accelerate progress toward the Demographic Dividend (DD) by focusing on critical areas, including reducing teenage pregnancies, promoting family planning, and ensuring access to quality education, particularly for girls. These actions are key to unlocking Africa’s full potential.

The AU Commission presented a ten-year review of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD+10), which called for robust strategies to effectively manage population dynamics. Among the key recommendations were:

• Promoting Gender Equality: Addressing gender disparities, particularly in education, to ensure equal opportunities for girls to contribute to the continent’s development.
• Leveraging Technology: Utilizing digital platforms to improve access to family planning information and services, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.
• Youth Empowerment: Creating employment opportunities and engaging youth in shaping Africa’s future through active participation in development processes.

Prof. Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs at the AU Commission, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts, stating, “The challenges posed by rapid population growth are multi-faceted and require a comprehensive approach. By integrating population dynamics into our development strategies, we can ensure that Africa’s growth is both sustainable and inclusive."

The AU Commission called on Member States and international partners to intensify their commitment to addressing population challenges. By investing in education, healthcare, and youth employment, Africa can turn its population growth into a powerful engine for economic and social transformation.

The outcomes of STC-HNPDC-5 are set to guide Africa’s population management strategies over the next decade, ensuring alignment with the AU’s Agenda 2063:The Africa We Want and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives reflect the AU’s vision for a prosperous and inclusive Africa, where population dynamics are a driving force for development.

For further information please contact: 

Mr. Derrick Ochuot | Strategic Communication Expert | Directorate of Health and Humanitarian Affairs | Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition Division | African Union Commission | E-mail: ochuotd@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ms. Whitney Mwangi | Health Policy Communications and Advocacy Specialist, Directorate of Health and Humanitarian Affairs | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission | E-mail: WhitneyM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Faith Adhiambo | Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission E-Mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org  

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