Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasised the need for African businesses to take the lead in championing the inclusivity of women and youth in their endeavours, stressing their potential impact on business transformation and continental prosperity.

Speaking during the 2025 Africa Employers Summit in Nairobi on Monday, September 8, 2025, the DP stated that many of the grievances in Africa have been due to the lack of enough jobs and income opportunities for the youths.

While acknowledging the challenge posed by Africa’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the DP noted that it also presents an opportunity for a social justice agenda that the continent needs to address.

He asserted that Africa’s success in the 21st century will be defined by technology, public–private partnerships, and the energy of its young people.

Economic challenges

“While many challenges face young people in Africa today, undoubtedly the most acute is the lack of enough jobs and income opportunities for them. This has led to the situation wherein in some of our countries we have seen unrest led by young people, and part of the grievance is the lack of jobs for the youth,” he stated.

In solving the challenge, the DP implored businesses and employers to adopt a new paradigm shift of enterprise where women and youths and persons with disabilities find meaningful participation and leadership.

 He also proposed a socially conscious business that invests in communities, engages in business and social communities, invests in communities, and builds resilience to climate change.

The DP also highlighted social business that upholds ethical governance and transparency and accountability as crucial to seeing the country solve the problem of the challenge.

Appeal to the private sector

While noting the steps taken by the government through the bottom-up economic approach, the DP appealed to the private sector and employers to support young people’s engagement as a means of bridging the gap that exists in Kenya.

“We need the private sector to transform policy into job and income opportunities for our young people. We need the private sector to augment our interventions and offer requisite community support to make resources available for our youths,” he stated.

Labour CS Alfred Mutua also made an address at the function.

The two-day event brings together stakeholders from all over Africa to deliberate on ‘Empowering Business to Advance Social Justice.’