Beyond Infrastructure and Jobs: Experts Say Africa's Development Story Needs a Human Wellbeing Strategy

By Ridwan Oyenuga

For decades, discussions about Africa’s development have focused on infrastructure, trade, technology, education, and economic growth. Across the continent, governments continue to invest in roads, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and innovation as part of broader efforts to accelerate development and improve living standards.

These investments remain critical. However, a growing number of experts believe another conversation deserves equal attention: the wellbeing of the people expected to drive Africa’s future.

With Africa home to the world’s youngest population, the continent’s long-term success will depend largely on the ability of young people to learn, innovate, lead, and contribute productively to society. Yet many face growing pressures linked to unemployment, economic uncertainty, academic demands, social expectations, rapid technological change, and the effects of global crises.

While these challenges are often discussed separately, development practitioners increasingly argue that they collectively influence education outcomes, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, civic participation, and economic growth.

According to African youth advocate and SereniMind Founder Ridwan Oyenuga, the issue is not simply identifying the challenges but recognizing that practical solutions already exist.

“Across Africa, we are seeing young people demonstrate remarkable resilience and creativity,” Oyenuga says. “The opportunity now is to build systems that support that resilience through community engagement, mentorship, education, technology, and accessible support networks.”

This perspective aligns with broader development ambitions outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, both of which emphasize human development alongside economic progress.
Importantly, experts say the solution does not require starting from scratch.

Across Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, and other African countries, schools, community organizations, youth groups, faith-based institutions, and technology platforms are already testing approaches that help young people navigate challenges while building skills and opportunities. Initiatives such as SereniMind, alongside other youth-focused programmes across the continent, are exploring how technology, peer support, education, and community engagement can expand access to wellbeing resources for young people.

Universities are expanding student support services. Community-led mentorship programmes are connecting young people with role models and career guidance. Digital platforms, including solutions such as SereniMind, are helping to increase access to information, peer networks,
wellbeing resources, and educational support for young people who may otherwise struggle to find assistance.

Youth-led organizations are also creating safe spaces for dialogue, leadership
development, and community participation.
These initiatives may appear small individually, but collectively they represent a broader shift in how development is understood.

Experts increasingly view wellbeing not as a standalone social issue but as a development enabler. Young people who feel supported are more likely to remain engaged in education, pursue entrepreneurship opportunities, participate in their communities, and contribute positively to economic growth.

Oyenuga believes this shift in thinking could become increasingly important over the coming decade.

“We often talk about preparing young people for the future of work, but we must also prepare them for the realities of life,” he says. “Through our work at SereniMind and engagement with young people across Africa, we’ve seen how access to supportive communities, mentorship, skills, and wellbeing resources can strengthen resilience and help young people become
innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.”

The conversation is particularly relevant as African countries seek to maximize their
demographic dividend. While investments in infrastructure, technology, and economic reforms remain essential, experts argue that sustainable development ultimately depends on people.

As governments, institutions, and development partners look toward the future, many believe Africa’s next development breakthrough may not come solely from new roads, new technologies, or new investments. It may come from strengthening the resilience, wellbeing, and
potential of the millions of young people who will shape the continent’s future.

For advocates of constructive and solutions-focused development, the message is clear: Africa’s greatest resource is not beneath the ground or inside a data center. It is its people. And investing in their wellbeing may be one of the smartest development decisions the continent can
make.