Foundation urges African Leaders to Prioritise Children, Youth Development over Debt Payments

By Praise Chinecherem

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has urged African leaders to stop sacrificing the future of children and young people to growing debt burdens, warning that excessive debt servicing is denying millions access to quality healthcare, education and economic opportunities.

The organisation made the call on the Day of the African Child, stressing that Africa’s development aspirations would remain elusive if governments continue to prioritise debt repayments over investments in their youthful population.

AHF noted that Africa is the world’s youngest continent and possesses enormous human capital potential, but said that potential is being threatened by an international debt system that leaves many governments with limited resources to invest in critical social sectors.

According to the organisation, huge debt obligations have continued to drain public finances, leaving healthcare, education and social protection programmes underfunded across many African countries.

“Stop mortgaging the future of Africa’s children and youth with debts,” AHF said, arguing that sustainable development can only be achieved when governments place people, especially young people, at the centre of national priorities.

The foundation described young people as Africa’s greatest asset, adding that their hopes for healthy, productive and prosperous lives cannot be fulfilled when resources meant for public services are diverted to servicing debts.

It explained that the challenges facing young people are interconnected and require deliberate public investment in areas such as HIV prevention, youth-friendly healthcare services, quality education, gender equality, protection from violence and economic empowerment.

AHF further maintained that an unfair global debt structure continues to restrict the ability of many African governments to provide the services and opportunities needed for children and youth to thrive.

The organisation said its ongoing Freedom from Debt campaign seeks urgent reforms to the global financial system to enable countries to invest more in human development rather than being weighed down by unsustainable debt obligations.

It argued that debt relief and fairer financing arrangements would create more fiscal space for governments to improve healthcare delivery, strengthen educational systems and expand opportunities for young people.

AHF also highlighted some of its youth-focused interventions, including the Girls Act and Boys2Men programmes, which promote leadership development, health literacy, sexual and reproductive health rights, and youth advocacy.

According to the foundation, freeing countries from unsustainable debt pressures would allow more children to remain in school, access quality healthcare, develop their talents and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The organisation therefore called on African leaders, international financial institutions and development partners to take concrete steps toward creating a more equitable financial system that prioritises the wellbeing and future of Africa’s children and youth.

AHF maintained that investing in young people today is the surest path to building healthier, stronger and more prosperous societies across the continent.