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The Young African Leaders Summit (YALS) is a flagship initiative of The Young Global Leaders Network (YGLN), a non-governmental social enterprise registered under CG072582020. The Summit operates as a subsidiary entity with registration number SN006521220 and is committed to empowering Africa’s youth through dialogue, collaboration, and leadership development.
Since its inception, YALS has convened over 800 policy makers, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, business executives, and aspiring changemakers from across Africa to engage in high-level discussions on economic empowerment, politics, climate change, entrepreneurship, and governance. Our goal is to cultivate a new generation of visionary leaders capable of driving sustainable progress in their respective fields.
Provide a platform for young leaders to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices to foster community transformation.
Strengthen a continental youth network to enable cross-border collaboration and innovative problem-solving.
Brainstorm and propose solutions to challenges facing African youth, culminating in actionable projects and policy recommendations.
Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aligning summit discussions with global development priorities.
YALS has historically influenced youth engagement across Africa through strategic dialogues and advocacy. Key summit outcomes include the creation of the African Youth Manifesto, a policy document consolidating youth-driven recommendations submitted to the African Union.
The summit has evolved over the years with landmark events:
2019 Theme: Securing the Future of Africa: The Role of African Youth, Young Business Leaders, and Entrepreneurs.
2021 Theme: African Youth Transforming Vision and Ideas into Action.
2026 Theme: The Africa We Want by 2040: The Future of African Youth.
YALS Bonfire Youth Chat is an informal, dynamic space where standout youth leaders lead small group discussions, sharing their journeys, challenges, and impact. Delegates engage in open conversations, seek peer mentorship, exchange stories, and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth.
