(Accra, Ghana: 17 November, 2025) — The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the African School of Economics in Cotonou, has opened a two-day end-of-project workshop on the theme “Unlocking Sub-Saharan Africa’s Demographic Future: From Youth Bulges Curse to Demographic Dividends.” The initiative is supported by the Norwegian Research Council.
The workshop concludes a multi-year research project examining how Sub-Saharan Africa can convert its large youth population into economic, social, and political gains. The research explores the influence of government policies, civil society participation, and youth perspectives on demographic outcomes across the region.
With more than 60 percent of Africa’s population under the age of 25 and rising investments in education and skills development, the discussions focus on strategies to translate demographic trends into sustainable development.
Speaking at the opening session, Acting Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, said Africa’s youthful population presents both risks and opportunities. He noted that without effective policy responses, the “youth bulge” could fuel unemployment, inequality, and instability, but when harnessed, it could become “Africa’s greatest comparative advantage, a true demographic dividend.”
He added that the workshop aligns with KAIPTC’s Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Programme, which supports youth leadership development and inclusive governance. “We see this workshop as an extension of that mission, a bridge between research, policy, and practice,” he said.
Norway’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. John Mikal Kivstad, emphasized the importance of data-driven policy formulation. He noted that demographic statistics provide a factual basis for designing interventions grounded in evidence rather than political narratives. While acknowledging the workshop’s academic focus, he remarked how it may be beneficial to diplomats who operate “in between research and politics,” helping translate findings into policy action.
Prof. Hendrik Urdal of PRIO and visiting professor at KAIPTC described Sub-Saharan Africa’s demographic outlook as possessing significant potential for development gains. He said the research project assesses how to unlock these opportunities while mitigating security risks associated with large youth populations.
He explained that the study explores not only economic dividends but also social and political dividends, including expanded civic participation, stronger social cohesion, and improved governance outcomes.