(April 2013) The youth population in sub-Saharan Africa is increasing rapidly. Today, economies in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid growth, averaging 5.3 percent in GDP growth in 2012well above the world average of 3.3 percent per year. Countries must take the opportunity to cultivate the capacity of their youth, a valuable resource for their prosperity. Second-chance education for individuals with low or no foundation skills will help these youth catch up later in life. By 2050, that age group is projected to nearly double to about 561 million, according to PRB's The World's Youth 2013 Data Sheet.1 The youth of the region are also becoming better educated.