The Economic Case for Investing in Children in Africa: Investing in our Common Future

The impact of economic policies on children is often neglected in both policy making and implementation in most countries of Africa. There is a limited understanding on the significance of investing in children for sustainable economic development.

Research demonstrates that realising children’s rights and ensuring their wellbeing has long term economic and social benefits. Investments in essential service for children, in quality basic education, health, nutrition and social protection is investing in human capital, which is the foundation of economic growth and inclusive development. Evidence shows there is a huge challenge in implementing children’s rights in most countries of Africa, with direct consequences on children and society and unacceptably high costs in the long-term.

Africa is on the verge of a serious human development crisis which would carry grave consequences for the social and economic wellbeing of its people and for the future of the continent. The new report – The Economic Significance of Investing in Children: Investing in our Common Future – makes the case for a massive investment needed for the growing children and young population in Africa. It urges African governments to commit to major transformative actions to reap the demographic dividend and accelerate Africa’s sustainable and equitable development, beyond and above fulfilling their obligations to realise the rights and wellbeing of children.

The report will serve as a resource in engaging stakeholders to promote better investment in children and contribute to the achievement of AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, United Nations

Founder, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF)

Executive Director, ACPF

Global Lead for Early Childhood Development, World Bank

Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Economist, ACPF

Global Director Child Poverty, Climate and Urban, Save the Children International

Director of Research, Economic Policy Research Institute, Cape Town, South Africa

In line with the declaration by the UN General Assembly marking 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, The Ghai Larissa Award, 2021 Special Edition has been dedicated to child labour.

The Award recognizes and rewards an organization or individual who has made outstanding contributions to the elimination of child labour in Africa. This Special Edition on Child Labour is one step to concretize the initiatives of ACPF’s programme on Children and Economic Policies in Africa. It will identify and showcase good models of practice that have the potential for replication by other actors.

Against this background and in launching the report The Economic Case for Investing in Children in Africa: Investing in our Common Future, ACPF will award the winner of The Ghai Larissa Award 2021.