Addis Ababa:African leaders have been called upon to empower young people and women with meaningful political participation and leadership opportunities to drive the continent's transformation. This message was highlighted during the African Youth in Politics Forum (AYPF) and the Africa Women Political Leadership Summit (AWPLS), key events at the Second African Political Parties Summit (APPS 2026) held in Ethiopia.
According to Ethiopian Press Agency, the forums emphasized the necessity of youth and women's political leadership for Africa's economic future. With the continent's demographic advantage, policymakers, party representatives, and civil society leaders discussed how to convert this into lasting transformation.
Africa's population is notably young, with nearly 60 percent under 25 years old and around 70 percent of sub-Saharan Africa under 30. By 2030, it is projected that approximately 40 percent of the world's young people will be African. This demographic shift presents an opportunity for economic growth if matched with suitable investments and policies. Africa is anticipated to account for 85 percent of the global increase in the working-age population by 2050, with its working-age population expected to nearly double to 1.56 billion.
Ethiopia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Aklilu Tadesse, noted that the country has made youth empowerment a central part of its governance and development agenda, with young people holding over 50 percent of leadership positions at the federal level. Minister Tadesse emphasized Ethiopia's commitment to investing in youth through employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership development.
The forum provided a platform for young delegates to advocate for greater influence. Ummul Kulthum Abdullahi from Ghana's National Youth Authority expressed that young people are already driving change and more efforts are needed to raise awareness of their participation in politics. She highlighted the importance of showcasing positive political engagement to encourage youth involvement.
Abdikadir Said Jama, Director of the African Education and Humanitarian Development Organization, stressed the need for education, training, and real political opportunities for young Africans. He pointed out that many policies aimed at harnessing young people's potential remain unimplemented, and access to political platforms is limited.
The event also underscored the inseparability of youth empowerment from women's inclusion. Ethiopia's Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Shawit Shanka, called for equal participation of women in political leadership and economic decision-making, emphasizing that no continent can achieve its full potential while marginalizing half its population.
Overall, the summit highlighted the urgent need for African governments and political parties to transition from promises to practical implementation, providing young Africans with the education, platforms, and opportunities to assume leadership roles now rather than later.
