LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda emphasised the need Africa to determine and to transform the continent into a global player, fostering equitable and a people centric, sustainable economic development by leveraging Africa’s demographic dividend.
Chithyola Banda made the remarks on Monday, May 20, 2023 the capital Lilongwe during the 9th African Population Conference at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).
He said the conference provides a platform for experts and law makers to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in population management in pursuit of achieving Africa’s sustainable development ambitious.
He also said, despite so many challenges, people in Africa are now uniting and collaborating more in strengthening partnerships in so many areas which will accelerate Africa’s economic growth like health and education, focusing on population development, especially the youth.
Chithyola Banda has described the conference as a powerful testimony on Africa’s resort, pointing that it will result into development of the implementation plan to achieve the AU conference target which was set 30 years ago as well as spearhead the first 10 years of implementation of the AU agenda 2063.
“The Conference will accord Malawi an opportunity to tell her story generously and share her experiences on population,” Chithyola said.
Prime Minister of Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson said the conference’s theme, “Road to 2030: Leveraging Africa’s Human Capital to Achieve Transformation in a World of Uncertainty” highlights Iceland’s relationship with Malawi as evidenced by developments being carried out in Malawi by the Government of Iceland.
In her remarks, Regional Director for the United Nations Population Fund in Eastern and Southern Africa, Lydia Zigomo commended Malawi Government for hosting the conference.