In the year 2000, The Economist magazine described Africa as the “hopeless continent”, adding that the “new millennium has brought more disaster than hope to Africa.” But the 54 countries that make up the continent have some of the youngest and most vibrant populations in the world, accounting for over 17% of the world's population. 

The last twenty years have seen life expectancy and literacy rates shoot up and child mortality plummet, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. So what has driven these changes and can the momentum be maintained over the next twenty years? 

Joining the IEA's Emma Revell to discuss this is the IEA’s Alexander Hammond, Policy Adviser to the Director General at the IEA.