Addis Ababa:Ethiopia has placed youth empowerment and participation at the center of its governance and development agenda, with young people holding more than 50 percent of leadership positions at the federal level, Minister of Youth and Sports Aklilu Tadesse said.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the minister made the remark while addressing the African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF) and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit (AWPLS), flagship platforms of the Second African Political Parties Summit (APPS 2026) currently being held in Addis Ababa from November 5–7.
Aklilu Tadesse emphasized that youth empowerment requires more than policies and development programs. He noted that Ethiopia recognizes young people as its most valuable national asset and has prioritized their empowerment through investments in employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership development. The minister further elaborated that youth participation in Ethiopia has expanded beyond conventional development initiatives, with young people increasingly assuming leadership responsibilities across government institutions.
The minister highlighted that more than half of leadership positions at the federal level are occupied by young people, citing the country's experience as an indication of the importance of entrusting youth with decision-making responsibilities. He stated that young people are leading from local administration to the highest offices of government, including the prime minister, who assumed office in his early 40s.
Aklilu called on African political parties to move beyond considering young people merely as voters and campaign participants, urging them to recognize youth as partners in democratic leadership and governance. He stressed that Africa's demographic structure makes youth participation indispensable to the continent's development, noting that more than 60 percent of its population is under the age of 25.
Describing young people as innovators, entrepreneurs, peacebuilders, and agents of transformation, Aklilu said their creativity, energy, and resilience are significant resources for addressing Africa's development challenges. He also highlighted the philosophy of Medemer, which emphasizes unity and collective purpose, as essential for strengthening inclusive governance and youth participation.
The African Youth in Politics Forum and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit are being held as flagship platforms within the Second African Political Parties Summit (APPS 2026), under the broader theme, "Governing for Growth Political Parties as Architects of African Economic Future." The summit serves as a vital platform for inter-party dialogue, aiming to shift the focus of African political parties from mere electoral mobilization to becoming robust engines of national transformation.
