Five Days of
Breaking Barriers

Opening Circle “Mkusanyiko”

An introductory session dedicated to unpacking the current continental context. It will focus on exploring this year's theme with keynote addresses by technical experts in the fields of peace, justice, and climate, combined with youth-led insights and lived experiences.

Under 40 Political Leaders Forum

The session is a roundtable debate bringing together Young Political Leaders, National Youth Council Representatives, Ministries of Youth, Young Parliamentarians, and Youth Leaders around one provocative question: 'If you sat where they (the leaders) sit, what would you do differently?'

Open mic (30mins): Allocated time for participants to engage with the panelists.

Welcome Remarks

Launch of the Global Youth in Elections Initiative

Co-hosted by ActionAid Denmark, MS Training Center For Development Cooperation, and Global Platforms Secretariat.

The Youth in Elections Initiative is a call to action to strengthen youth participation in political life and processes worldwide. It has been developed in collaboration with young people through the Global Platforms, a youth-driven initiative that brings together voices from across the globe. The Initiative seeks to influence policy, promote integrated and comparative approaches to youth involvement, and foster the exchange of best practices in leadership

The Development Partners Cafe

Examining the role of policy makers and development partners in empowering young people in Africa and their contribution to sustainable development, including Peace, Justice, and the Green Transition.

The Presidential Address

Co-convened by His Excellency, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and YouLead Patron

Fireside Chat with H.E Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba

An intergenerational dialogue with H.E. Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba, former Vice President of Zambia. This session will explore how young people can strategically engage with policy, drive sustainable development, and shape Africa's future. Participants will gain insights from Vice President Mumba's leadership experience while discussing opportunities for youth to co-create innovative, cross-sectoral solutions for the continent.

Welcome Remarks

Under 40 Business Leaders Forum

A dedicated session focused on collaboratively developing solutions to critical challenges within the regional and continental business landscape. Business leaders will explore strategies to support innovative green transitions, including climate-smart agriculture, and their linkages to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). The session will also examine ways to foster innovation, business development, and entrepreneurship among young business leaders.

Open mic (40mins): Allocated time for participants to engage with the panelist

Graduation Third Cohort of EAC Youth Fellowship and Launch of fourth Cohort.

Co-hosted by EAC Secretariat (EAC), MS Training Centre For Development Cooperation (MS TCDC) and Danida Fellowship Centre (DFC)

Youth Powering Africa's Agrifood Transformation

Africa's agrifood systems are a major driver of economic growth and employment, with vast potential for innovation and entrepreneurship. As the continent advances ambitious goals under the CAADAP, Kampala Declaration and AfCTA, youth have a critical role to play in shaping a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable food system. Bringing together young agripreneurs and key ecosystem players, the session will explore real opportunities in agribusiness, innovation and regional trade. The participants will gain practical perspectives on how to engage, lead and thrive within the sector.

Welcome remarks

Welcoming the delegates to Day 3 of the YouLead Africa Summit

Arusha Peace Forum

Co-hosted with the East African Youth Peace Network

YouLead and its partners have been conducting consultations across East Africa on the linkages between peace, security, and climate change, in alignment with the East African Community Climate Change Framework and the Youth, Peace and Justice in Action: Advancing UNSCR 2250 and Reparations in Africa. The findings from these consultations set the scene for the day's forum, surfacing how climate-related insecurity is reshaping the lived realities of young people across the region, and what meaningful youth leadership in response looks like.

Climate Futures Forum

Co-hosted by YouLead Climate Action Network.

Building on the findings of our regional consultations on the peace-security-climate nexus, this session dives deeper into climate change, climate justice, and the green transition, with a particular emphasis on equitable access to finance. It will highlight the role of young people in developing solutions that strengthen food security through sustainable agri-food systems.

Gender Equality Forum - Arusha Debates

Panel Discussion: Dismantling Structural Inequalities in Africa - Interactive discussion exploring the root cause of gender inequalities and strategies for systematic change across sectors, including policy, business, and civil society

Session I - Development of the Post Summit- Agenda

Closing and Closing Remarks