Five Days of
Breaking Barriers

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.

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.

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.

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.

Keynote Address: Mr Adrian Njau, Trade and Policy Advisor, East Africa Business Council

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

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.

Welcoming the delegates to Day 3 of the YouLead Africa Summit

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. Co-hosted with the East African Youth Peace 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. Co-hosted by YouLead Climate Action Network Panel Discussion II: Youth-led Solutions for food security and a green transition - exploring how young innovators can drive sustainable agri-food systems and address climate challenges Panel Discussion II: Building resilient and inclusive food systems: Linking Climate Action, Peace and Security

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