How will Africa cope with its rising population challenges?

Ethiopia is betting on industrialisation to put millions of its people to work, here at the Pittards factory in Addis Ababa, workers make leather gloves for sale in America. Credit: BBC.

On a continent where nearly two thirds of people are already under 25, this vast new baby boom has the potential to provide a huge pool of workers ready to transform African economies, or the potential to create an even greater migration problem.

BBC Africa Correspondent, Alastair Leithead, has been investigating the potential of this “demographic dividend” in a series of special reports from across Africa.

Children gathered in Niger. Credit: BBC.

For a week, beginning Monday, 21 August, BBC World News and BBC World Service will broadcast daily features within Focus on Africa, looking at matters such as the rapid urbanisation in Nigeria; the industrial revolution in Ethiopia; contraception in Niger; and food sustainability in Kenya.

From Monday, more information can also be found on bbc.com/africapopulation, including a written in-depth analysis, a series of short videos and additional features.

A special documentary, Africa’s Population Explosion, will also broadcast on BBC World News (DStv 400) on Friday, 25 August and Saturday, 26 August.