Kos-Ikah Calls for Afro-Arab Youth Business Fund to Boost Entrepreneurship Support

A youth parliamentarian, Onisoman Kos-Ikah, has decried the inadequate financial support available to young entrepreneurs across Africa and the Arab world, despite numerous empowerment programmes initiated by governments and agencies.

Kos-Ikah, who represented Bayelsa Central in the Nigerian Youth Parliament and recently served as a delegate to the Afro-Arab Youth Congress in Kampala, Uganda, made the call while speaking in Yenagoa on Monday.

He urged the Afro-Arab Youth Council to establish an Afro-Arab Youth Business Fund to provide sustainable financial backing for young people with innovative business ideas.

According to him, the lack of funding and institutional support has continued to stifle the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of youths across both regions.

“Youths in Africa and the Arab nations are not short of ideas or innovation — what they lack is support,” Kos-Ikah said. “It is no longer news that many young Africans with viable business ideas have suffered setbacks because of poor access to funding.”

He proposed that the Afro-Arab Youth Business Fund be financed through donor agencies and contributions from member nations, with grants awarded annually to selected young entrepreneurs during each congress.

“These grants would enable young people to return to their countries, invest in their businesses, and contribute meaningfully to their local economies,” he added.

The Afro-Arab Youth Council, an international body that unites young leaders from Africa and the Arab world, aims to promote collaboration and participation in global developmental initiatives.