1. The Digital Native Advantage
At WGS 2026, President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana highlighted that Africa’s 400 million young people are not just workers; they are “digital natives” poised to redefine global innovation.
The Vision: Moving beyond being consumers of technology to becoming creators. President Boko emphasized the need to “internalize intellectual property” within Africa so that the value created by young innovators benefits the continent rather than a “predatory global elite.”
The Shift: A call for a fairer global order where African innovation serves humanity and ensures equity for the creators on the ground.
2. Education as a National Security Priority
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone made it clear: in the 21st century, education is the only path to sustainability.
Free Education Models: Highlighting Sierra Leone’s commitment to free primary and secondary education, Bio argued that leaders must provide the “enabling environment” for youth to navigate a complex, AI-driven world.
The Quote: “Without education, you cannot make it. We want our citizens to contribute not only nationally, but globally.”
3. Sovereignty and Pragmatic Investment
Addressing the history of resource extraction, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe noted that the next decade requires “pragmatic decision-making.”
Neutrality: Zimbabwe and other African nations are increasingly engaging with both East and West based solely on what delivers the best outcomes for their people.
The Goal: Using sovereign power to ensure that foreign investment translates into local jobs and infrastructure that young people can actually use to build businesses.
