The Policy Bridge Institute – Africa (PBI-A) is a civil society organization focused on youth and evidence-based policymaking, aimed at bridging gaps in education, skills development, technology adoption, and job opportunities for young Africans.
The concept was developed by Paschaline Kyaakyile Derek and Dr. Loretta Bortey Kubate, with George Merkel Abuah, MLS, serving as the Secretary.
The Institute was founded on the premise that Africa’s youthful demographic presents a significant opportunity, which can only be realized through policies that adapt to evolving labor markets, new technologies, and the skills needed for future economies.
During the Institute’s launch in Accra at the SRC Union Building of the University of Ghana on Friday, July 17, co-founder Paschaline Kyaakyile Dere emphasized that the initiative aims to prepare young people for a rapidly changing world by enhancing policies and fostering stronger links between education, innovation, and employment.
She elaborated that the Institute was established to critically assess whether young individuals possess the necessary skills and opportunities to succeed.
“Policy Bridge Institute Africa is a youth-focused civil society organization that recognizes the significant changes occurring globally and questions how prepared today’s youth are for this evolving landscape,” she stated.
According to the Institute’s founding statement, Africa has the youngest population in the world, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25.
However, the Institute highlighted that issues like unemployment, skills mismatches, and limited access to opportunities hinder young people’s ability to contribute fully to economic growth.
The Institute aims to tackle the disconnect between educational outcomes and industry requirements, the scarcity of technology-driven opportunities, and the lack of youth involvement in policy discussions.
PBI-A will concentrate on three primary areas: technology and innovation, job creation and economic opportunities, and education and skills development.
The Institute plans to launch initiatives such as the Youth Growth Dialogue Series, the Future Skills Observatory, the AI and Digital Governance Lab, the Industry-Academia Bridge Program, and the Impact Accountability Report.
Ms. Dere noted that the Institute will also evaluate existing policies and offer insights to enhance programs aimed at young people.
“As an institute, we strive to maintain a robust evaluation and monitoring team to ensure that government investments in projects are achieving their intended outcomes. If they are not, we need to explore alternative approaches,” she remarked.
Source: Bugbila Moadow.
