Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to open the second Agorà Conference. This meeting reflects the ongoing partnership between the Bank of Italy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Italian Hub of the World Bank Group, whose aim is to promote policy-oriented research cooperation between Italy and Africa.
Our last conference focused on physical infrastructure for energy, a necessary component to put Africa on a sustainable growth path, and on the catalytic role which international cooperation initiatives, such as Mission 300 and Italy's Mattei Plan, can play in this field.
This year our main focus is on another necessary component, skills for workers. Africa's labour force reached 600 million in 2025 and continues to expand rapidly; it is estimated to more than double by 2050. Creating employment opportunities for these people represents a huge challenge, but also - in an era of ageing and declining populations worldwide - a great opportunity to turn the Continent into a global economic engine. To reap this demographic dividend, it is essential to provide young Africans with the know-how required to make the most of today's production technologies. Infrastructure and technology can create opportunities, but it is human capital that determines whether those opportunities translate into lasting productivity gains, quality jobs and economic growth.