The African continent needs well-organised youth leaders to foster development for the future of its generations.
These were the words of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila at the Pan-Afrikan Renaissance, the second Young Afrikans Leadership Summit (YALS), held in Windhoek on Friday.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says it is time that young Africans participate in decision-making and move to the forefront of Africa's economic development agenda.
"A well-organised youth demographic majority has a meaningful role to play in championing and implementing development programmes and holding leaders accountable. We are going to assist you to ensure that you play the role that you are able to play to ensure that Africa is emancipated economically and takes its place in the global community."
The Founding Matron of the Pan-African Renaissance, Mildred Jantjies, noted that most African youth on the continent remain neglected and underserved.
She attributed this to a lack of unity, tribalism, and other internal divisions among African states, saying it impedes the region's development progress.
"As we engage in these discussions, I also wish to bring to light some vital topics that are often overlooked but hold immense potential for our empowerment: the 4IR, AI, FinTech, and climate change, among others, are forces shaping the power to uplift our people from poverty and usher us into a new era of prosperity. We must embrace these concepts, adapt them to our context, and harness their potential to drive our economic transformation."
The summit is held under the theme 'Building an Ecosystem of Transformative Leaders'.
"POWA believes in goal-oriented leadership. A leadership that preaches what they practice, that advances humanity, and that needs to deliver a united, self-reliant, and independent Africa. Ours is to deliver critical and forward-thinking, robust dialogue with sustainable innovation that will remain the principals that will guide us," said the Chairperson of the Pan-Afrikan Renaissance, Sarah-Leigh Elago.
The Summit aims to create a platform that harnesses the African voice and brings young African leaders to the realisation that they can bring positive change to the continent.