20

November, 2026

  • Accra, Ghana

The Africa we want by 2040; The Future of African Youth

  • 3rd Edition - Accra-Ghana

The Young African Leaders Summit (YALS) is a premier three-day event fostering leadership, innovation, and collaboration among Africa’s emerging youth leaders. An initiative of The Young Global Leaders Network (YGLN), YALS provides a dynamic platform for young changemakers to exchange ideas and tackle key challenges facing Africa.

YALS offers impactful networking, professional development, and thought leadership. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, focus groups, and mentorship, attendees gain insights and tools for driving change. The African Youth General Assembly (AU Model Conference) empowers youth to shape policy and contribute to continental development. Additionally, research presentations on leadership, governance, and youth development foster knowledge exchange.

A key highlight, AfriTalks, features TedX-style talks from thought leaders on leadership, empowerment, and social impact. Entrepreneurs can pitch start-up ideas to investors. The summit concludes with an awards ceremony honouring outstanding African youth. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, YALS drives partnerships that inspire transformative action across Africa.

Join us in shaping the future of African leadership.

  • Share Your Research & Ideas
Are you passionate about leadership, governance, and youth development? The Young African Leaders Summit (YALS) invites scholars, researchers, and thought leaders to present groundbreaking research, case studies, or policy papers. This is your chance to share insights, engage in critical discussions, and contribute to shaping Africa’s future.
 
Showcase Your Research
Be Part of the African Youth Manifesto
Apply Now
  • AfriTalk: Inspire. Empower. Transform
Deliver a TedX-style talk on leadership & social impact. AfriTalks is an electrifying TedX-style segment at YALS, where bold thinkers, innovators, and emerging leaders deliver compelling short talks on leadership, empowerment, and social impact.
 
Captivate an Audience of Future Leaders
Share Transformative Ideas & Experiences
Apply Now
  • Summit Schedule
  • 19 - 23 November 2026
  • Accra, Ghana

1st Day

19 November 2026

Arrival Day

  • Delegates’ arrival and check-in
  • Registration & Summit materials collection

2nd Day

20 November 2026

Opening & Networking

  • 09:30 – 10:00 | Morning Networking Session
  • 10:00 – 10:30 | Welcome Address
  • 10:30 – 11:00 | Solidarity Messages from Delegations
  • 11:00 – 11:30 | Cultural Performance & Interlude – Cultural Display
  • 11:30 – 12:30 | Keynote Speeches & Guest Addresses
  • 12:30 – 13:30 | Break (Lunch & Networking)
  • 13:30 – 15:00 | Plenary Sessions
  • 15:00 – 16:00 | Workshops (Parallel Sessions) – Practical Deep Dives
  • 16:00 – 17:30 | YoungTalk: Inspire. Empower. Transform

3rd Day

21 November 2026

Leadership, Policy & Diplomacy

  • 09:30 – 10:00 | Morning Networking Session & Icebreakers
  • 10:00 – 11:30 | Plenary Sessions
  • 11:30 – 12:30 | Workshops (Parallel Sessions) – Hands-on Skill Building
  • 12:30 – 14:00 | Breakout Mentorship Sessions (Choose One Focus Area)
  • 14:00 – 15:20 | Model African Union Conference
  • 15:20 – 16:20 | Presentation of Workshop Outcomes (Findings & Summary)
  • 16:20 – 17:50 | Share Your Research & Ideas (Share Your Paper Presentation)
  • 18:00 – 20:00 | Bonfire Chats & Evening Networking

4th Day

22 November 2026

Tour, Awards & Closing

  • 06:00 – 09:00 | Morning Networking Session, Exercises & Games
  • 11:00 – 18:00 | Tour & Courtesy Call
  • 18:00 – 19:00 | Break (Participants Freshen Up & Change for Awards Ceremony)
  • 19:00 – 21:00 | Awards Ceremony & Dinner

Final Day

23 November 2026

Departure Day

  • Departure of Delegates

REGISTER AS 2026 DELEGATE

We seek to be Africa’s leading gathering of Young African Leaders that empowers, trains and prepare young leaders for continental and global leadership.
REGISTER NOW
  • HIGHLIGHT OF 2021 SUMMIT
  • HIGHLIGHT OF 2019 SUMMIT
  • SUMMIT REGISTRATION FEES
  • PAYMENT DEADLINE
  • (15 May 2026)

Resident (Ghanaians) & Local Delegates

Ground transportation Lunch, All Sessions & Trainings, Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Training, Tour & Summit Materials). Ghanaians or Local Delegates can pay in Ghana cedis which has the symbol GH¢. They can alternatively pay in the US dollar equivalent when paying by card.
Additional cost (Optional)

Accommodation and Feeding for Foreign Delegates: $150 for the duration of the summit.

Accommodation and Feeding for Ghanaian Delegates: $150 for the duration of the summit.

You can arrange for your own accommodation and not pay us for accommodation cost.

$150

International/Foreign Delegates

(Ground Transportation, Lunch, All Sessions and Trainings, Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Training, Tour & Summit Materials).
Additional cost (Optional)

Accommodation and Feeding for Foreign Delegates: $150 for the duration of the summit

Accommodation and Feeding for Ghanaian Delegates: $150 for the duration of the summit.

You can arrange for your own accommodation and not pay us for accommodation cost.

$260

(We have only 200 rooms available and is for the first 200 applicants who pay for their summit fees early and are interested in us finding them a room (rooms allocated will be unchanged) – applicants can opt to arrange for their own accommodation in Accra, Ghana)

  • 2019 SUMMIT PARTNERS
  • 2021 SUMMIT PARTNERS
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