We are not for sale

African youth leaders have urged the continent's leaders to consider the future of African youth by promoting alternative growth models rooted in youth empowerment, human development and human rights.

"The youth of Africa have long been sidelined in discussions and initiatives relating to the development of their own continent," Simphiwe Dana, an award-winning South African Afro-soul singer and activist, said at the launch of the new #AfricaNot4Sale campaign in Johannesburg.

She said African youth had looked on as the spoils of their continent were divided and shared – with their own governments' approval – between multinational companies.

"They [African youth] have felt too powerless – and, in many cases, too disinterested – to intervene," Dana, who also campaigns for social and economic justice, said. "Dispossessed and disempowered youth are saying #AfricaNot4Sale," the Afro-soul singer added.

"African political leaders and big business must stop selling the future of the continent's youth and start promoting alternative growth models rooted in youth empowerment, human development and human rights," Amnesty International and the Open Society Initiative said in a joint statement.