The YouthConnekt Africa Summit 2022 concluded

Thousands of African youth left the just concluded YouthConnekt Africa 2022 Summit (YCAS) in Kigali with their heads held high, after three-days of discussions and assurances from world leaders and experts on how they can lead Africa’s development efforts.The annual continental summit, which took place for the fifth time, brought together participants from 30 African countries to discuss and chart a way forward on how to involve the youth in Africa’s trade, health, climate resilience and financing, technology, skilling for the future and other topics that are critical for a sustainable future.

Speaking while presiding over the closing of the summit this afternoon, the Prime Minister of Rwanda, Rt. Hon. Edouard Ngirente said:“As we come to the end of this summit, I’m confident, in addition to the wonderful atmosphere of solidarity that we have witnessed, that you have gained much and contributed much to the goals of YouthConnekt.

We know that the most important resource in Africa is our youth, in particular skilled African youth.”

Keita Oulie, the YouthConnekt Africa Executive Director noted:“I would like to start by recognizing H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda for hosting us and being a great champion for the development of youth in Africa. His incredible support to the YouthConnekt Africa from the beginning is what continues to drive this pan African initiative. Young people have engaged with their leadership in shaping the narrative on Africa’s development to ensure that Africa is portrayed for what it truly is: a continent rich in talent, natural resources and resilience, Africa is indeed the future.”

Throughout the sessions, attending youth felt a sense of empowerment after leaders and experts from various fields pledged their support to empowering the youth to successfully undertake projects that can steer the continent’s development.

The Secretary General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Hon. Wamkele Mene said:“The AfCFTA is not about governments. It is young entrepreneurs, SMEs and women creating jobs, contributing to Africa's economy. It is also not large corporations only that should benefit from the AfCFTA it has to be you, young Africans, the future of this continent.”

The United Nations Development Programme partnered with YouthConnekt Africa to organize this year’s summit and the Resident Representative, Mr. Maxwell Gomera said they’re working to enable young African individuals, families, and communities to prosper.

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About YouthConnekt Africa

YouthConnekt Africa is a continental initiative with the mission to empower young people by enhancing their knowledge, experiences and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations and initiatives to harness Africa’s demographic dividend which aims at contributing to the achievement of Africa’s SDGs mandate, the AU 2063 agenda, and AU Youth Charter.

It was initiated in 2012 by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the UNDP and is a multifaceted youth empowerment model focused on leveraging youth employability, entrepreneurship and civic engagement through innovation.