The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), in collaboration with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and key partners, hosted the 5th APRM Youth Symposium under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity.” The two-day event brought together young leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Africa to reflect on the role of youth in shaping governance, economic development, and democratic institutions on the continent.
Officially opening the symposium, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, emphasized the importance of intergenerational collaboration. He underscored that Africa’s youth are not merely beneficiaries of policy but co-creators of the continent’s future.
“Leaders must create inclusive structures that allow young people to actively participate in governance and decision-making processes,” he said, adding that Africa’s progress depends on “the wisdom of experience and the energy of youth working together.”
Building on this vision, Dr. Bernice Hlagala, Chief Director in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to youth empowerment. She highlighted that engaging young people in public life and the economy is essential to achieving sustainable and equitable development—aligning national priorities with the broader continental vision championed by the APRM and the Pan-African Parliament.
Hon. Laila Dahi, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Youth Caucus, called for stronger youth representation within parliamentary and civic structures. She stressed that meaningful participation requires access to decision-making spaces, mentorship from senior leaders, and mechanisms for accountability to ensure young voices are not only heard but acted upon. Her remarks reinforced the need to bridge generational divides and translate youth perspectives into concrete policy outcomes.
Addressing the symposium, Hon. Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration and APRM Focal Point for South Africa, commended the transformative contributions of Africa’s youth through activism, innovation, and digital engagement. He urged governments to move beyond symbolic inclusion and build institutional systems that enable young people to meaningfully influence policymaking, peacebuilding, and economic transformation.
Delivering the Keynote Address, H.E. Vincent Angelin Meriton, Former Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles, described Africa’s youth as the continent’s greatest resource, capable of turning promise into prosperity. He emphasized that sustainable governance and human development depend on intergenerational partnerships, combining the experience of senior leaders with the creativity and innovation of young Africans.
Offering a continental perspective, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat, outlined the objectives and expected outcomes of the symposium. She explained that the event aimed to catalyze youth agency, foster intergenerational dialogue, and generate actionable recommendations for inclusion in the African Governance Report 2027. She also underscored the need to strengthen networks of young Africans engaged in governance, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership, aligning these efforts with key continental policy priorities.
The symposium featured high-level thematic discussions, including a presentation by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who spoke on Generation Z engagement in governance. She highlighted the transformative impact of digital activism, civic education, and youth-led innovation on Africa’s political landscape, urging institutions to become more responsive to youth aspirations. Her insights reinforced the symposium’s central themes: intergenerational collaboration, meaningful youth inclusion, and innovation-driven governance.
Throughout the sessions, participants deliberated on youth participation in leadership, policy development, and economic transformation. Discussions emphasized the crucial role of young Africans in peacebuilding, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement—affirming that sustainable prosperity depends on their full inclusion in governance structures.
Day One of the symposium concluded with a strong consensus that Africa’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but architects of governance today. The deliberations paved the way for youth-driven recommendations to feed into the African Governance Report 2027, a roadmap for enhanced youth participation in African Union governance bodies, and stronger collaboration among youth networks, policymakers, and continental institutions.
The message emerging from the symposium was clear: by empowering youth, integrating their voices, and supporting their leadership, Africa can realize inclusive growth, equitable development, and sustainable prosperity for generations to come.
