Foreword by Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark, Chairman of the Africa Commission

The key to a more prosperous Africa lies in the hands of its younger generations. They will be the dynamic drivers of poverty reduction through long-term economic growth that creates employment. But this requires a refocused development agenda defined by the African countries.

It is on this basis that the Danish Government decided to establish an Africa Commission bringing together key African and international stakeholders. The Africa Commission fills a vacuum. If Africa’s demographic and economic challenges are to be overcome, it is crucial that the growing youth population is given prospects for good employment. Private sector development that creates employment is a must if Africa is to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Our aim is to provide a clear and unambiguous contribution to the international development agenda. We have set ourselves ambitious targets: The objective of the Africa Commission is to find effective means of creating job opportunities for  young Africans through private sector-led economic growth.

The composition of the Commission – the majority are Africans - bodes well for the achievement of our agenda. It also illustrates the determination at the highest international level to solve the challenges related to young people and employment. I am confident that the recommendations and the five concrete initiatives launched in this report and implemented by African organisations will have a direct and positive effect.

Our work does not end with this report. The recommendations and the five concrete initiatives will be brought to life through strong international partnerships.

The Danish Government will support all five initiatives. Together with my fellow Commissioners, we are determined to promote the agenda outlined in the following pages. We will do this at the international level together with our partners and in support of reform processes in African countries.

Since the first meeting of the Africa Commission, we have witnessed a changing global environment. Today we are facing a very serious global economic crisis. It has its genesis in the developed world, but is already hitting Africa hard. The challenges that this has brought have been factored into this report. Our overarching objective of developing concrete initiatives for the creation of more and better jobs is more pertinent than ever.

It is therefore my sincere hope that the work of the Africa Commission will place Africa higher on the international agenda. I strongly believe that developing competitive African economies will enable African countries to get their fair share of the benefits of globalisation, to significantly increase and sustain economic growth and employment. This will ensure job opportunities for young Africans. We have a common interest in pushing this agenda. But much more importantly: Africa’s young people deserve a fair chance to break free from poverty by becoming entrepreneurs and creators of jobs.

Copenhagen, May 2009