STORY: Kenya calls for removal of barriers hindering youth entrepreneurship in Africa
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 9, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:04:41
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of banners at the conference
2. various of Kenyan president attending the exhibitions
4. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
5. various of youth and the president dancing

STORYLINE:

Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday called for elimination of bottlenecks that were slowing down growth of youth-led enterprises in Africa.
  
Speaking at the official opening ceremony for Youthconnekt Africa in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Ruto stressed that abolishing obsolete policies and regulations, hastening integration will be key to spur growth of start-ups owned by the youth.
   
SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
"Entrepreneurship is the biggest creator of value and opportunities in the world. With their increasing levels of education and skills, African youth can drive economic growth by embracing entrepreneurship. African governments like Kenya have to make supporting SMEs a key priority, pairing financial support with advisory services. We must foster a conducive environment for entrepreneurship by providing young people with access to capital, mentorship and opportunities to transform their ideas into thriving cross-border businesses. This can be achieved by simplifying business regulations, facilitating access to finance and promoting regional economic integration."

He added that African youth require mentorship, market linkages and digital skills to unlock their entrepreneur potential, become self-reliant and contribute to economic growth.

Kenya is hosting the 2023 Youthconnekt Africa Summit from Dec. 8 to 12. The event is expected to convene over 20,000 youth, policymakers, industry leaders and donors to discuss diverse themes, including digitization, green finance, creative industry, borderless commerce and how they can unleash opportunities for the continent's youth.
   
The five-day summit, under the theme of "Youth Innovating a Borderless African Renaissance," provides a platform for young people to gain skills and knowledge required to grow their businesses.
   
Ruto noted that the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will open new opportunities for entrepreneurial youth to help solve the unemployment crisis.
   
In addition, Ruto said that policy reforms alongside bench-marking with international best practices are key to unlocking youth-led innovations and revitalizing cross-border enterprise in the continent.
  
The Kenyan leader said African countries should bridge digital divide in order to promote youth involvement in the continent's growing e-commerce and virtual jobs.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)