Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly that Africa will be central to the world’s future, citing projections that by 2050 the continent will host more than a quarter of the global population and one-third of the world’s youth.
Addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana issued a powerful reminder of Africa’s growing demographic and strategic importance to humanity’s future.
Quoting UN projections, Mahama revealed that by 2050, over 25 percent of the global population will be African, while one-third of all young people aged 15 to 24 will reside on the continent.
“This is not just a statistic, it is a clear sign that Africa will drive global innovation, growth, and progress,” Mahama stressed. “So, you see, the future is African. Allow me to say this once again, a little louder for the people in the back—the future is African!”
The Ghanaian leader highlighted Africa’s existing contributions, describing the continent as a catalyst for systemic change across human development, economic reform, and ecological stability.
“Already today, Africa is a catalyst for human potential and development, as well as for economic reform and ecological stability. Africa is a catalyst for systemic change,” he noted.
Mahama also addressed lingering global biases, pointing out that skepticism about Africa’s rise often stems from colonial legacies and racial prejudice.
“If this reality which is fact-based and straightforward seems provocative or unsettling, perhaps it’s because you’re viewing it through the lens of centuries of racism, colonialism, imperialism, and the resulting implicit bias,” he said.
Mahama’s remarks positioned Africa not as a passive participant but as a leading force in shaping the world’s future trajectory.
