Africa is putting youth empowerment, digital transformation and development financing as immediate priorities in implementing the Pact for the Future.

Namibia, Zambia, Kenya and others have set out their priorities as leaders assess progress on the agreement adopted in 2024.

Two years after the Pact for the Future was adopted, African leaders are assessing progress and gaps in its implementation.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah chaired the high-level UN side event, with discussions focused on youth empowerment, financing and Africa's 

development priorities.

Namibia is using national programmes to expand opportunities in education, entrepreneurship and digital technology.

"With regard to the digital transformation, at the national level, Namibia, in July 2025, launched the National Digital Strategy 2025-2028, designed to empower Namibians to thrive in the digital arena."

Nandi-Ndaitwah also outlined measures on youth development, including free tertiary education and the National Youth Development Fund.

" We are already seeing tangible fruits from this investment, and much of the resources come through strong domestic resource mobilisation initiatives, including through improved governance structure of taxes, as outlined in our developmental agenda. However, illicit financial flow still remains a challenge for Namibia and our continent at large."

Zambia has put digital access and financing reform high on its agenda in response to calls to address limited internet connectivity across much of the continent.

Mulambo Haimbe is Zambia's Foreign Minister.

"With only 36% of Africa's population online, the first gateway to AI is connectivity. Africa therefore needs investment in digital infrastructure, computing capacity, and skills to participate, not merely as a consumer, but as a shaper of emerging technologies."

Kenya's focus and proposal to other African countries is on measuring implementation ahead of the 2028 review of the Pact of the Future.

"First, let Africa table one consolidated implementation report prepared jointly by the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union so that our progress is assessed against common evidence," stated Kenya's President William Ruto.

The Pact was adopted in 2024 under the co-facilitation of Namibia and Germany, alongside the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations annexes.