Durban – South African President Jacob Zuma is hopeful delegates will profer solutions to the prevailing challenges of infrastructure development and youth empowerment during the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa starting in Durban on Wednesday.
The summit is scheduled for the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre under the theme "Achieving Inclusive Growth: Responsive and Responsible Leadership".
"We hope that the forum will discuss vigorously the issue of the development of Africa especially infrastructure development," Zuma said in a statement.
Zuma, who will lead the South African delegation to WEF, expressed delight that the meeting would address the issue of youth development as Africa was a "youthful" continent.
Africa has a population estimated at 1.2 billion.
The median age is 19.5 years.
"Africa's large youth population presents the continent with an historic opportunity that must be fully taken advantage of," said Zuma.
"We will benefit from the youth dividend if young Africans are skilled, healthy, participating in a democracy as active citizens and participating in the productive labour force."
WEF Africa ends on Friday.