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Annual Summits
Editions of consistent youth convening across the continent.
About YouLead AfricaNine years of
Nine years of
youth transforming youth engagement.
Impact
Nine years, measured in outcomes
A snapshot of what YouLead has built alongside young Africans since 2017, convenings, projects and policy outputs that turn voice into action.
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Projects
Initiatives delivered, funded and supported since 2017.
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Policy Reviews
Communiqués and recommendations submitted to AU and UN bodies.
Youlead Programme Pillars
Foundations of Our Work
The goal of YouLead Africa is to empower and develop youth leaders across Africa, fostering their active participation in decision-making processes and contributing to sustainable development.
Our Mission
To unlock the leadership potential of young Africans by providing platforms for dialogue, capacity building and collaborative action, ensuring youth voices shape the policies and decisions that define their future.
Our Vision
A prosperous, peaceful and green Africa driven by an empowered generation of young leaders who are equipped, connected and positioned at every table where the continent's future is decided.
Our Story
Nine years of transforming youth engagement
Our journey is an instructive success story! What simply started out as “East Africa Youth Leadership Summit” (YouLead Summit) in 2017 is in present day Africa Youth Leadership Program (YouLead Program).
2017
Inauguration
Inaugural Summit under the theme
“Unlocking Youth Leadership Potential: Youth at the Centre of East African Integration”.
200 Delegates Convened
Introduced a hybrid format of convening bringing together 6000 online and offline
Introduced the Peace and Security and the East Africa Youth Enterprise Acceleration Awards
YouLead introduced the figure of a Patron
2020
Hybrid Format
2021
Going Continental
Full transition of the program from East Africa to Africa - OneYoung Africa, through the launch of the AfCFTA Youth Inclusion Accelerator Project
Introduced the Gender Equality Component through the Gender Equality Forum and launch Lead(h)er Fellowship
Introduced the Arusha Debates, the Policy Makers and Development Partners Roundtable, as well as the East Africa Parliamentary Tubonge
For the first time in its history, the summit moved beyond Arusha landing in the Nairobi, Kenya and signalling a new phase of continental expansion. The same year saw the launch of the East Africa Community Youth Fellowship marking YouLead's deepening commitment to structured, long-term leadership development.
2023
Hosting the Summit Beyond Arusha
Present Day
Continental Youth Leadership Program
Today, YouLead Africa is a growing continental ecosystem. A home to two active fellowship programmes, the Lead(H)er Fellowship and East Africa Community Youth Fellowship andd a One Young Africa community of more than 10,000 young people across the continent. 2 activie Networks under its Pillars, the East Africa Youth Peace Network and the Climate Action Network. Each week, Africa Unplugged brings this community together through an online platform where young people discuss pressing issues, share solutions and inspire one another with the best practices they are already applying in their own contexts.
Explore the Gallery
Candid moments from gatherings, dialogues and YouLead Summits.
Let's Work Together
Whether you partner, attend or amplify, there's a place for you in the next chapter of YouLead.YouLead Africa works with institutions, communities, networks, and partners committed to strengthening leadership, regional cooperation, innovation, policy dialogue, and sustainable development across Africa.