On 25 September 1963, African leaders, led by the former President of Ghana Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, formed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Newly independent countries fresh from colonialism met in Addis Ababa with an agreement to create a pan-African organisation. The primary objective of the pan-African organisation was to decolonise African states that remained under colonial rule, including Southern Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe), South Africa, Mozambique and Angola. In addition to decolonisation, the organisation planned to coordinate efforts that could raise the standard of living of member states as well as defend their sovereignty.

On 25 May 2001, the OAU was dissolved and replaced by the African Union (AU), on a day now celebrated as Africa Day. 50 years after the formation of the AOU, the heads of state declared 2013 the Year of Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance.

But if there is an African Renaissance, it does not come from government-endorsed ventures backed by international corporations. Africa is changing because of its pool of talented young people, a resource that is, as yet, largely untapped.

In 2014, "forging inclusive growthm creating jobs" was the theme of the 24th World Economic Forum on Africa. That inclusive growth and job creation are at the forefront of policymakers' and economists' minds in Africa is no revelation, considering these two issues have been stifling the 'Africa Rising' narrative for the past decade. This narrative has its roots in the piece in The Economist, which pointed out that, “over the past decade, six of the world's ten fastest-growing countries were in Africa.” According to a report by McKinsey, real GDP in Africa grew twice as fast in the 2000s as it did in the 1980s and 1990s.

Yet all is not well throughout Africa. One of the main issues affecting African economies has been the failure to create jobs for the increasing numbers of young people entering the labour force every year. 70 per cent of Africa’s population is under 25 years of age, and youth unemployment throughout the continent stands at around 67 per cent - 70 per cent (UNDP, 2011). As a result, many of these resourceful and determined young people have turned to entrepreneurship.

Gone are the days when working in the nearest mine or field for an international corporation seemed like a good job to young Africans. Instead of focusing on what they can extract and sell, African entrepreneurs are entering into a diverse spectrum of industries. Ikenna Azuike is one example: frustrated by the unbalanced and often inaccurate portrayal of Africa in the media, and inspired by the work of Jon Stewart, Ikenna created a video blog called What's Up Africa, a provocative and entertaining programme about African news, initiatives and people. Gambia-born Sona Jobarteh is proving girl power is not dead, as the first female player of the Kora, an instrument traditionally played by men, while fashion designer Adama Ndiaye established the Dakar Fashion Weel. Young African entrepreneurs are also forging a way in the world of technology, like Alisa Amupolo who runs digital start-ups and internet ventures in Namibia. The list goes on. There has never been a more exciting time to be involved with and learning about Africa.

But it’s not all roses. Most of the people mentioned here, and indeed numerous other African entrepreneurs and pioneers, live outside Africa. One reason for this ‘brain drain’ may be lack of financial support within the continent. As a result, sustainable growth can only be achieved when genuine effort is made by individual countries and the AU to support enterprise and local business. This can be done through a combination of increased government intervention, encouraged by quotas, greater infrastructural projects, the elimination of corruption, and increased support in assisting people to secure loans for entrepreneurship. 

Although African economies face many challenges, the AU still has the ability to fulfill its promise to make this not only the year, but the era of Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance. To do this, the AU must invest in its entrepreneurs and social pioneers to facilitate and encourage enterprise and, above all, ensure Africa rises together. To quote Kobina Essien, CEO of Ecobank who spoke at the World Economic Forum in Africa summit: "Africa has been rising for a long time. I hope we will eventually get to a point where we have risen." And, we add, risen together.