April 11, 2025
The annual Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit (PAYLS) was held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa from April 3-5, under the theme “Unlocking the Power of Youth for a Prosperous Africa.”
The momentous continental gathering assembled youth representatives from various African countries to deliberate on leveraging the youthful population for the development of Africa.
Present at the PAYLS, among others, were President Taye Atske Selassie, African Union Commissioner Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Selma Malika Hadadi, Minister of Youth and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, Chairperson of AU Youth Envoy Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, President of Pan African Youth Union Dialla Moumouni, and several other participants sourced from AU Member States to capitalize on the pivotal importance of the youth in realizing the peace and prosperity aspirations of Africa as envisioned by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
In his opening remarks, President Taye stated that Africa, with the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population and abundant critical raw materials, holds a vast wealth poised to fuel economic and social progress. We are now witnessing this potential being realized in the success of young African entrepreneurs making significant contributions across various sectors, the president said.
Speaking of the critical role being played by the youth in streamlining and leveraging the boon in the fourth industrial revolution, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and financial technology, in tandem with green economy, the president noted the fact that the youth will meaningfully drive the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) when strategically positioned to excel in these emerging fields.
While celebrating these achievements, President Taye stressed, we cannot deny the many pressing challenges confronting our youth: pervasive unemployment and underemployment, access to vital education and healthcare, and the growing digital divide are major issues that need to be addressed. The destructive impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are undermining productivity, he mentioned. He further underscored the perennial fact that political instability and conflicts are also barriers to the advancement of the youth on the continent.
Addressing the abovementioned manifold challenges, he stated, these unique circumstances compel us to pursue novel ideas that best address our quest for development as well as the complexities of global crisis. In this regard, he mentioned Ethiopia’s experience, in particular the introduction of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Medemer idea and forethought that is directly attributable to the need of this quest for thought leadership, is for other African countries to emulate. To quote,
“The Medemer concept is all about combining indigenous thought, knowledge, perspectives, and resources for an effective social and economic transformation. The methodology is functioning with the notion that the whole is greater than the simple sum of its parts. Like Nkrumah’s consciencism, Medemer emphasizes the importance of a positive and forward-looking ideology to drive national development. Steve Biko’s Black consciousness was about defining blackness on Black terms, and Medemer is about defining an Ethiopian and African path to development on African terms. The Medemer also shares Ujamaa’s focus on social harmony and communal values.”
President Taye reiterated the fact that, “Medemer’s idea is not rooted on the impeccability of the concept itself; it is rather centered in its viability or practicability and the impact on the broader society and the change it accrues. The thought’s practical hallmark is its ability to create sustained momentum that overcomes challenges and drives progress, resulting in positioning Ethiopia among the continent’s fastest-growing and biggest economies.”
In his address he highlighted the Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development, sustainable energy generation, and the dynamic urban development Ethiopia is currently witnessing as the epitome and fruits of this novel and homegrown thinking.
Touching upon GLI, the president mentioned that, with its significant expansion of forest coverage, the initiative demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. This, in turn he added, has driven Ethiopia’s progress towards self-sufficiency exemplified by a national program called ‘Ye Lemat Tirufat’ or ‘Bounty of the Basket.’ He further stated that,
“The name “Lemat” itself carries dual significance. First, Lemat or basket in Ethiopia’s lived experience evokes the image of a basket overflowing with agricultural produce. Second, it is also the African basket, which is a common sight across the continent; a symbol of bountiful harvests, embodying the very heart of Africa’s livelihoods and our food systems. This national initiative, therefore, is an integral part of the continental aspiration for food self-sufficiency for all citizens.”
President Taye also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the youth of Ethiopia, for being “the drivers of these national achievements and “the true agents of the ‘Medemer Generation.’”
Expounding the contemporary entanglements in the global political landscape, he called attention to the incumbent fact that “traditional aid is withering away; Africa must first secure three critical elements,” including “ownership of its natural resources, mobilization of its wealth, and consolidation of its economic foundations.” “It should then, he said, strategically integrate into the global value chain, moving beyond raw material export through industrialization.”
“Africa must make sure that its youth are collectively and bravely confronting the new challenges of our era by harnessing technology and innovation as catalysts for progress through quality education and skills development,” he echoed. Reiterating the Government’s continued commitment to make the youth the epicentre of development agenda both at home and on the Continent, the President said,
“We shall also invest heavily in entrepreneurship and innovation that will help in fostering job creation and African-driven solutions. The empowerment and participation of the youth in decision-making, promoting leadership and civic engagement, is imperative.”
Capitalising on the need for orchestrating collective commitments and efforts to forge a participatory and representative future for the youth of Africa, both in the public and private sectors, President Taye pronounced,
“As governments have the duty to champion policies that cultivate education, entrepreneurship, and youth employment, regional bodies like the African Union must also elevate their efforts in empowering African youth as the engines of development. The private sector, in turn, must transcend the much-used terminology of “corporate social responsibility.” It should rather provide vital funding, mentorship, and business support to genuinely impact the efforts of the youth.”
He added, “At this period of global leadership crisis, we see people doubting the bright future of Africa. From my decades of experience in diplomacy and foreign relations, I found these skeptics utterly wrong. I want to say that this is the time we Africans have decided to move forward more united and stronger than ever to decide our fate and course of action.”
“The main reason why we shall articulate our position in no uncertain terms or (unequivocally),” President Taye echoed, “is because we have put our trust and confidence in the capacity and power of our youth as an active agent of change capable of navigating the intricacies of global dynamics.”
Concluding his remarks, President Taye, in a call to action to fellow African states to create a conducive milieu for the youth, stated the fact that governments have the duty to champion policies that cultivate education, entrepreneurship, and youth employment. In the same vein, he said, regional bodies like the African Union must also elevate their efforts in empowering African youth as the engines of development. Most importantly he recapitulated the fact that,
“To fully unlock the vast power of the African youth, it must be driven by thought leadership and action. Let us, therefore, transform our ideas and forethought into these tangible actions and become the architects of change and progress.”
AUC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, in her keynote speech, expressed her gratitude to Government of Ethiopia, for graciously hosting this most impactful gathering and said,
This gathering, under the powerful theme “Unlocking the Power of Youth for a Prosperous Africa,” is more than just a summit. It is a call to action, a platform for bold ideas, and a moment to reimagine the future of our continent—with youth at the center.
Mentioning the fact that “Africa is the youngest continent in the world,” the DCP stated,
By 2030, our youth population will surpass 1.5 billion. This is not just a demographic trend. It is our most valuable strategic asset. The question is: Are we doing enough to harness the full potential of Africa’s young people? This summit answers with a resounding ”“yes”—and more importantly, with action.
Ambassador Haddadi told the participants, Through our continental frameworks—from Agenda 2063 to the African Youth Charter and the flagship 1 Million Next Level Initiative—the African Union is committed to building ecosystems of opportunity around five key pillars: education, employment, entrepreneurship, engagement, and health and well-being. These are not just development areas. They are the building blocks of dignity, hope, and belonging for millions of young Africans.
This year’s three-day Pan African Youth Leadership Summit was co-hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and the Pan African Youth Union (PAYU) with the objective of fostering dialogue and forging collaboration among young leaders across the continent, focusing on sustainable development, peace, and economic empowerment. PAYU is a continental coordination body for youth organizations in Africa that serves as the focal agency of the AU on youth matters since its establishment in 1962.