The Young World: Turning Africa’s Population into Global Power | Naufal Ahmad | TEDxKangiwa
While much of the world is aging, Africa remains young, and that youth is its greatest advantage.With Nigeria’s median age at just 18, the continent is home to a generation that could reshape the future of innovation, industry, and global leadership.Civic leader and technology ecosystem builder Naufal Ahmad explores how Africa’s demographic strength can be turned into global power by investing in education, healthcare, and digital transformation.Drawing from his experience leading Katsina State’s digital revolution, he shares practical examples of how bridging the digital divide and empowering young innovators can unlock opportunities for millions.Africa’s youth are not too poor or too late, they are right on time, and ready to drive global progress. Naufal Ahmad is a Nigerian civic leader, technology ecosystem builder, and the Director-General of the Katsina State Directorate of Information and Communications Technology (KATDICT). Appointed by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda in August 2023, he is leading Katsina’s digital transformation, positioning the state as a hub for innovation, efficiency, and citizen empowerment.Under his leadership, KATDICT has championed landmark initiatives, including the Katsina Digital Economy Policy, Katsina ICT Policy, Katsina Startup Bill, and the Katsina Startup Council. He also pioneered the iKatsina Digital Public Infrastructure Framework, the Katsina UGP (Unified Government Portal) – 1-Gov Enterprise, the Katsina Digital Bridge (a quadruple helix model of innovation), the Cybersecurity Policy, the Intellectual Property Act, and the LevelUp Katsina program. Beyond policy and infrastructure, he initiated Arewa Tech Fest, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across Northern Nigeria.Before public service, Ahmad co-founded Kirkira Innovation Hub, the first tech hub in North-Central Nigeria. His impact has earned him recognition among CrestAfrica’s Top 50 Voices in African Tech (2025) and Opportunities Hub’s 100 Most Influential Youths. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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