Mr Biram Fall, QNET Regional General Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, made the submission at a recent forum to discuss African youth empowerment.

Fall said that his remarks was based on the latest Direct Selling Report, published by the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA).

“The report shows global direct sales increased by 2.3 per cent year-on-year, from US$175.3 billion in 2019 to US$179.3 billion in 2020,” he said.

Fall said that this leap in direct selling was recorded despite estimates by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), indicating a decrease of the global economy by 4.4 per cent in 2020 – a period most of the world economies were struggling with rising unemployment.

Based on the positive shift in the sector and projected growth for e-commerce, Fall urged the youth to embrace direct selling as another source of sustainable economic and financial empowerment.

According to him, the direct selling model leverages on selling products directly to customers without the use of third parties, and it relies on word-of-mouth promotion from existing users.

“Direct selling is unique from traditional sales because it primarily relies on endorsements, which requires sincere and earnest hard work.

“It removes intermediaries involved in the product distribution chain, like distribution centres or wholesalers.

“If you are a distributor (i.e. a sales representative) working with a direct selling business, the manufacturer gives you the products directly to ultimately sell to the consumer.

“This builds trust and relationships with people – offering a high level of service and personal attention,” Fall said.

He added that many businesses and enterprises across the globe use the model to promote unique products and services in categories such as wellness and nutrition, personal and beauty care and home care products, among others.

He said that the youth had the potential to become micro-entrepreneurs and nurture sales businesses by becoming official promoters of distributor companies.

While emphasising the huge potential that direct selling holds, Biram stated: “Africa currently has the largest youth population in the world.

“This number keeps growing, and has resulted in a highly competitive environment for job searches and limited employment opportunities.

“It is projected that 200 million youths will be added to Africa’s workforce in the coming decades, pointing to a need to create more employment opportunities and diversify innovative income streams for them.

“The internet and its growth hold a positive implication for e-commerce and direct selling and its potential to address Nigeria’s growing unemployment rate.”

He noted that Agusto &Co, a credit agency, had indicated that employment in Nigeria stands at 35 per cent in 2021, and direct selling contributed to the much needed diversification of the job market by providing a bright future for economic growth among the youth.

Reports have it that QNET Ltd., is a Hong Kong-based multi-level marketing company with distributors spread across the Middle East, South and East Asia, Africa, Central Asia, and Europe.