The recent report by the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau and USAID that Africa’s population has hit 1 billion and that Sub-Sahara Africa has the world’s most youthful population ought to make Africa celebrate.

Confronted with a bulging youthful population, Africa ought to discard its long held perception that youths are a time bomb ( to be manipulated by politicians to settle political scores) or leaders of tomorrow (hence unfit to actively seek solutions to Africa’s challenges today.)

Africa ought to see its youth as a valuable resource and consequently accord them the right exposure, education and innovation skills to enable them be responsible, productive and actively engage the global market. Africa's youthful population shows great promise for the continent if  masterfully managed.