Today’s actions are tomorrow’s results. I’m sure you’ve heard an iteration of this phrase somewhere. That’s because it’s a truism, and one that you may want to keep at the back of your mind if you happen to be an African author (or writer). Because never before has the continent needed more thought-provoking stories than it does now.

Why, you ask? Simple:

According to Worldometer, Africa has the youngest population of any continent (the nitty-gritties may vary between sources, but it will still hold true). People in the business of analysing demographics will tell you what this means: it means a large and largely untapped workforce. It means jobs if the right investments are made. It means a potentially large consumer market. What they (probably) won’t say is that it also means a very large and diverse population of young people having their minds shaped daily by personal experiences and what they interact with, including books. Books are especially important in this regard, because the consumption of literature largely affects all the other potentialities. Books could be the difference between a workforce that knows its strengths and weaknesses and one that is open to exploitation. Between a skilled labour market and one that is basic at best. Between socially responsible consumers and a continent that feeds the needs of ultra-capitalism at its own expense.

It therefore behoves us as authors and writers, including—if not especially—writers of fiction, to tap into our creativities and write the best stories with the most impactful human connections we can muster. We must write them in ways that resonate with the young population we are helping shape, and in that, we must be conscious of our impact. We must write them well and true, and we must be faithful to our values.

What we are presented with, then, is an opportunity. In the young population of our vast continent lies the potential for an Africa that is in control of its own destiny. By shaping young minds today, we strengthen tomorrow’s leaders, opinion shapers and trailblazers. So why not do it with books? Why not do it one story at a time, one mind at a time. Why not do it by writing the best stories we can write? Why not do it now? It starts with you.