Africa is bursting with natural and human resources capable of driving the continent to economic prosperity. However, these resources are often mismanaged, limiting access to opportunities. This is the unfortunate situation for most people in Africa who are confronted with unemployment. It is a young continent in terms of the age of its population, with 60 per cent of the entire continent being under 25 years old. The future of this great continent rests on the shoulders of the youths who are the most impacted by unemployment. For Africa to achieve its desired growth and development, the youth must be given equal access to empowerment opportunities.
One organisation that understands how crucial youth empowerment is to the future of Africa is UBA Plc. It does this through its Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP).
This programme is a six-month intensive theoretical and on-the-job training that equips fresh graduates with the skills to become exceptional bankers and members of society at large; with the bigger picture of contributing immensely to the development of Africa. The first phase, which commenced in 2023, presented 700 young Africans across the continent with the opportunity to reach their potential by joining the UBA Group. These exceptional individuals have gone on to occupy various positions in the bank and are thriving in them.
The second phase of the programme which ended on 2nd May 2024 saw 398 successful graduates from different parts of Africa join the UBA workforce. It culminated in a graduation ceremony where outstanding participants were recognised.
UBA Group is passionate about empowering the African youth, a passion, that is also shared by the Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu and one of the ways it has stayed committed to this cause is by bridging the unemployment gap. Elumelu is a strong proponent of Africapitalism and believes that the path to Africa’s greatness lies in the hands of Africans, especially the private sector. That is why he continues to create opportunities for young Africans to succeed.
We understand that the race for African development is not a sprint but a marathon, therefore, crucial conversations must be had if the continent is to reach its full potential. Thus, UBA keeps having action-provoking conversations on how to steer the continent to economic stability and prosperity by empowering the next generation of Africans.
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