CITP) – In this exclusive interview, entrepreneur and philanthropist Seydou Kane reflects on his commitment to placing people at the heart of his initiatives. He explains why education, health, and vocational training are key levers for unlocking Africa’s potential. Through his Foundation and his companies, he advocates for inclusive and sustainable development, in partnership with the public and private sectors. An inspiring plea for an Africa that capitalizes on its talents.
Mr. Kane, why do you think investing in people is essential to transforming Africa today?
Seydou Kane: That’s an excellent question. Africa is brimming with exceptional human potential, with a young, dynamic, and creative population. By 2050, one in four Africans will be of working age, representing nearly 1.3 billion people. This is an immense force… but only if it is well trained, well cared for, and well supported.
Investing in people means investing in the continent’s most valuable resource. What good are roads, ports, or factories if we don’t have the skills to operate them? If you look at countries that have successfully transformed their economies—such as South Korea or Rwanda—you’ll see that it all started with education, healthcare, and citizen leadership.
“Take Rwanda, for example: this country devotes nearly 15% of its national budget to education, and the results are clear. Primary school enrollment exceeds 95%, and the country is becoming a recognized technology hub.”
On a continental scale, according to the World Bank, each additional year of schooling can increase individual income by an average of 10%. That’s not insignificant. Finally, we mustn’t forget mental health, personal development, and the culture of excellence. A trained, motivated, and empowered youth is a lever for social peace, innovation, and inclusive growth. In my view, roads don’t transform a country; it’s the men and women who use them that do.
How has your experience as an entrepreneur helped you better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with investing in people in Africa?
Seydou Kane: Being an entrepreneur in Africa means being in constant contact with the reality on the ground. As head of the International Public Works Consortium (CITP), I have seen with my own eyes how human capital is at the heart of all sustainable development. Building roads, bridges, or modern infrastructure only makes sense if we train and value the men and women who build them.
Investing in people must not remain a slogan. It requires concrete action: building schools, equipping health centers, offering technical training tailored to market realities, and above all, creating bridges to employment. For example, at CITP, we have set up an integration program for young craftsmen and technicians. In three years, more than 500 young people have been trained directly on our construction sites in various West African countries.
The challenges remain immense: more than 9 million young Africans enter the labor market each year, often without sufficient qualifications. But the opportunities are just as great. Africa has the youngest population in the world. This youth is dynamic, resilient, and creative. It is waiting for one thing: to be trusted and given the means to succeed.
“Africa has the youngest population in the world. These young people are dynamic, resilient, and creative. They are waiting for one thing: for us to trust them and give them the means to succeed.”
That is why I firmly believe that African entrepreneurs have a decisive role to play. We must not only create wealth, but also have a lasting impact on our communities. The real work of tomorrow is not just about roads or buildings, it is about minds, talents, and ambitions to be revealed.
Can you tell us about your foundation, the Kane Foundation: what are its main activities and how do they contribute to the development and empowerment of communities?
Seydou Kane: The Kane Foundation is active in three key areas: education, health, and entrepreneurship. We have already built a dozen schools and launched several training centers, with more than 300 young people trained, nearly half of whom are women. In health, we have built community clinics and organized free healthcare campaigns, reaching more than 5,000 beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas.
We also support female entrepreneurship through microloans, training, and mentoring. To date, more than 150 women have been able to launch or develop their businesses. Our goal is clear: to give people the tools they need to take control of their lives and achieve lasting success.
In your opinion, what are the key levers for successful investment in people in Africa? Education? Health? Vocational training?
Seydou Kane: These levers are not only key, they are fundamental and interconnected. According to the United Nations, several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—such as those related to quality education (SDG 4), health (SDG 3), and decent work (SDG 8)—are directly linked to human development. Without them, no sustainable progress is possible.
Education is the key to lasting poverty alleviation. But in sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 5 children are not enrolled in school, and nearly 60% of young people do not achieve basic skills levels, according to UNESCO.
“But in sub-Saharan Africa, one in five children does not attend school, and nearly 60% of young people do not achieve basic skills, according to UNESCO.”
Health is the foundation of all productivity. Without access to healthcare, health infrastructure, or prevention, families go into debt or give up working, trapping entire generations.
Finally, vocational training is crucial: every year, 10 to 12 million young people enter the labor market, but only 3 million formal jobs are created, according to the African Development Bank. There is therefore a massive need for technical, practical training that is aligned with local realities.
That’s where I decided to take action: through the Kane Foundation, we have opened vocational training centers in construction, mechanics, and agribusiness, with concrete results in terms of integrating hundreds of young people, particularly in rural areas. Investing in people means building the continent’s true wealth.
How can collaboration between the public and private sectors strengthen the actions you are taking through your Foundation and your company?
Seydou Kane: I am convinced that the structural transformation of the continent can only be achieved through a genuine alliance between the public sector, the private sector, and civil society. The private sector has the means, agility, and capacity for innovation. The public sector has the legitimacy, infrastructure, and policies that frame action. If everyone moves forward on their own, the impact remains limited. Together, however, we can coordinate efforts, pool resources, and avoid costly redundancies.
Take Gabon, for example, where the International Public Works Consortium (CITP), which I head, recently collaborated with local authorities to rehabilitate school infrastructure and health centers in remote areas. Thanks to this partnership, the public sector provided the land, authorization, and administrative oversight, while we contributed technical expertise, personnel, and additional funding. This type of collaboration allows us to move faster, act more effectively, and have an immediate and lasting impact on communities.
“Through the Kane Foundation, we are also working with several ministries of youth and vocational training to integrate our modules into public programs and guide young people toward high-potential career paths.”
Through the Kane Foundation, we also work with several ministries of youth and vocational training to integrate our modules into public programs and guide young people toward high-potential career paths. This approach of co-construction must become the norm in Africa.
Development is not the responsibility of a single actor. It is a symphony in which each partner must play in tune and together.
What advice would you give to young African entrepreneurs and leaders who also want to invest in people to contribute to the continent’s development?
Seydou Kane: First, I would tell them to believe in themselves and their dreams. Africa needs bold and innovative young leaders. I would also advise them not to pit economic success against social engagement: the two are complementary and essential for building a prosperous and inclusive Africa. Finally, I would tell them to always stay in touch with the reality on the ground, to act with humility, and to build with the people, not in their place.
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