The surge in Africa's child population mirrors the rise in the continent’s overall population, which itself is set to more than double, reaching 2.5 billion by 2050

PRETORIA, South Africa, October 25, 2017/APO Group/ -- 

Nowhere in the world today are children more central to a continent's future than in Africa, where they account for almost half of all inhabitants. The surge in Africa's child population mirrors the rise in the continent’s overall population, which itself is set to more than double, reaching 2.5 billion by 2050.

Demographic transitions of this magnitude present both opportunities and challenges. The opportunity for Africa lies in the vast potential of its current and future generations of children and youth. Investing in their health, protection, and education can result in a demographic dividend in the 21st century that could lift hundreds of millions of Africans out of extreme poverty, and contribute to enhanced prosperity, stability and peace on the continent and beyond.

To learn more about implications and opportunities relating to this unprecedented shift in Africa’s child populations, you are invited to the launch of the Generation 2030 2.0 report on:

The opportunity for Africa lies in the vast potential of its current and future generations of children and youth

Thursday 26 October 2017 at 10 for 10h30 at the Pop Art Theatre in Maboneng, Johannesburg, South Africa. The event ends at 12.30.

Please note a press release embargoed until launch date will be shared with media before the launch.

Presenters include:

• David Anthony, UNICEF, Chief Sustainability and Policy Action, Data, Research and Policy.
• Toya Delazy, pop artist, and UNICEF Gen2030 celebrity champion.
• Youth activists from several African countries (final list TBC), who will present the "youth response" to the contents and recommendations of the report.

 Event moderator is Mo Muthebe, stand-up comedian.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Information Centre in Pretoria (UNIC).