RSVP at the Registration Form by Thursday, June 26, 2025

Abstract:

Over the next 25 years, sub-Saharan Africa’s population growth will account for half of global population growth, with its working-age population growing faster than any other age group. As the rest of the world ages rapidly, sub-Saharan Africa will represent an increasingly critical portion of the global workforce, accounting for more than 20 percent in 2050.

The big question is how will Africa’s growing population of young people contribute to its economic transformation and what kind of investment in education and workforce development will be required and how will it be achieved?

Speaker: Ms. Atsuko Toda (Senior Director, Entrepreneurship Development, Mastercard Foundation)

Speakers’ Profile:
Atsuko has 27 years of working experience in international organizations in Africa and Asia. Atsuko started her career at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the UN. She worked primarily in Asia. She then worked for the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based in Nepal for 4 years. In 2012, Atsuko returned to IFAD and moved to Nigeria. After 4 years, she moved to the African Development Bank in Cote d’Ivoire in 2016. She currently resides in Rwanda and works with the Mastercard Foundation.

Special Guest:
Mr. Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Director, the Association of Development of Education for Africa (ADEA)

Moderator: Michiko Iizuka, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)

*We ask that you do not record the forum or take photographs during the forum. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

What is GRIPS Forum?
Since its establishment in 1997, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) has promoted research and education on a wide variety of policy issues. The GRIPS Forum invites specialists from national and local governments as well as academic and business communities to promote policy studies and expand policy networks.