The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) launched its Youth Day 2025 conference at its precincts in Midrand, Johannesburg, under the theme “Youth Institutions in the State: Reimagining Africa”. The event, hosted in partnership with the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS), Y20 South Africa, and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), brought together young leaders, policymakers, and academics to chart a youth-driven future for the continent.
Honourable Laila Dahi, Chair of the PAP Youth Caucus, highlighted the critical role of Africa’s youth in shaping political, social, and cultural realities. Recognising young people as a driving force for development, stability, and democratic governance, she underscored the urgent need to address youth unemployment, marginalisation, and exclusion from decision-making. “The Pan-African Parliament is committed to working in partnership with Africa’s youth to build a united, prosperous, and sustainable future,” she affirmed. She further outlined the four core goals of the summit: to provide a platform for dialogue between youth and political leaders, equip young leaders with the skills to engage effectively in civic and political life, foster partnerships between youth and African institutions, and transform discussions into concrete, actionable initiatives.
Mahao Mahao, Senior Technical Advisor at AUDA-NEPAD, in his opening remarks, enchored a call to action from Africa’s youth to take centre stage in shaping the continent’s trajectory. “Africa’s youth are not just beneficiaries of its future. They are co-architects of the Africa we want,” he said, stressing that discussions at PAP would focus on democratic consolidation, climate resilience, digital inclusion, and African sovereignty.
His message was reinforced by Ontlotile Seemela, Regional Chair of IAPSS Africa and lecturer at North-West University, who emphasised the importance of intergenerational collaboration. While the energy and creativity of young people are essential, he noted, they must also harness the wisdom of experienced leaders in order to strengthen innovation and continuity across generations.
Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Mohamed El-Karasky, Senior Advisor to the AUDA-NEPAD CEO on Strategic Initiatives, reaffirmed AUDA-NEPAD’s commitment to youth empowerment by citing tangible investments, including €100 million in skills development projects across eight countries and €66 million dedicated to digital skills programmes. “We don’t just talk about empowerment. We invest in it,” he said, urging African youth to also claim their space in global governance. He pointed to the African Union’s permanent seat at the G20 and South Africa’s chairmanship of the forum in 2025 as historic milestones that must be seized by young Africans.
Taking the podium, Mr. Muketi Kuera, Co-Chair of G20 South Africa and Y20 representative, outlined the five thematic priorities shaping the Y20 agenda: climate change and environmental sustainability, inclusive economic growth and employment, digital innovation and the future of work, reforming multilateralism for a just future, and social development with a focus on fighting inequality. On climate action, he stressed the urgency of upscaling climate finance and ensuring that Africa’s mineral wealth benefits local communities through beneficiation. On inclusive economic growth, he called for reforms to international financial systems to improve debt sustainability and lower the cost of capital, while empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises particularly those led by women and underserved entrepreneurs. On digital innovation and artificial intelligence, he urged investment in upskilling, reskilling, and youth mobility, while also closing the persistent digital divide that excludes millions of rural youth from internet access. On social development, he highlighted the importance of strengthening education, health, mental health, and gender equality systems.
As the programme moved into interactive panel discussions with African leaders from sectors including climate, sustainability, and governance, a common message echoed across the chamber: Africa cannot achieve unity, prosperity, or sustainability without its youth at the centre. The hybrid conference concluded with a call to build a Pan-African youth movement that bridges research, policy, and action, placing young people firmly at the heart of shaping the continent’s future.
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