On the 29th of July 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ms. Jacqueline Mugo, EBS, Executive Director & CEO of the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), and Secretary General of BUSINESSAfrica Employers Confederation, addressed the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour, and Employment (STC-SDLE-5) and made a powerful call for action.

“The people we represent in this meeting—from the citizens in our villages, cities, towns, and neighborhoods; the workers in our factories; the business community in our countries—all have one demand: let Africa Walk the talk! We cannot afford to have good strategies and frameworks that gather dust on our shelves,” said Mrs. Jacqueline Mugo, the Secretary General of BUSINESSAfrica.

In her address, Ms. Mugo highlighted Africa's critical juncture in its development journey and underscored the continent’s unique advantages, including its youthful population, abundant resources, and expanding market. Ms. Mugo called for bold leadership to leverage these strengths and meet the demands of the young African generation, which seeks accountability and tangible results.

While emphasizing the need for Africa to ensure that plans and frameworks do not remain dormant but drive meaningful progress, Ms. Mugo acknowledged the vital role of the STC-SDLE-5 session in shaping Africa’s future and urged the delegates to focus on how their proposals and resolutions can stimulate business growth and employment. She reminded delegates that turning strategic commitments into real outcomes was crucial in lifting many out of poverty and addressing migration issues and called on leaders to move beyond mere rhetoric and deliver tangible results.