AYSD Hosts Successful Youth Summit, Empowering African Youth for a Sustainable Future

Accra, Ghana — March 15, 2025

The African Youth for Sustainable Development (AYSD) has successfully hosted a transformative online Youth Summit on Saturday, March 15, 2025, bringing together over 100 young people from across Africa in a vibrant virtual gathering aimed at empowering youth to drive sustainable development across the continent.

The summit served as a powerful platform for young leaders, activists, and changemakers to engage with notable leaders and experts, share experiences, and explore innovative solutions to address Africa’s pressing development challenges.

The event featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including

 a renowned youth activist.

In his opening address, Samuel Apeti, President of AYSD, emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping Africa's future and urged young people to actively participate in driving sustainable development.

“Young people must be at the center of sustainable development in Africa. Our energy, creativity, and vision are what the continent needs to overcome its challenges and seize new opportunities,” he stated.

Mr. Kamaldeen Ibn Chambas, Vice Chairperson of AYSD, also delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting the importance of collective action and collaboration among African youth to address the socio-economic and environmental issues facing the continent.

"Together, we can confront the challenges of our time and build a better future for Africa through unity and innovation," he said.

Among the key highlights of the summit, Prof. Awudu Abass explored how African youth can leverage innovation and technology to solve development challenges.

"Africa has the power to solve its own problems. By working together, taking charge, and coming up with creative solutions, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come," Prof. Abass noted.

Mr. Ibrahima Ziblim spoke passionately about the role of youth in shaping national and continental policies, stressing the need for young people to be actively engaged in governance and policy advocacy.

"You cannot effect change if you do not have the desire and power to do so. The time to lead is now," he said.

Miss Rahama Abu emphasized empowering young women to take part in sustainable development, urging the need to support women’s initiatives and promote gender equality.

"As young women, we have the power to shape our destinies and create positive change in our communities. Let us advocate for our rights and take our rightful place in development," she declared.

Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Mugis provided practical strategies for youth involvement in sustainable development, reminding participants that:

"Sustainable development is not just about saving the environment — it is about saving the future for all of us."

Miss Nightingale Afriyie, in her passionate submission, called on youth to take bold steps in entrepreneurship and community development, emphasizing action over inaction.

"We can't just sit back and wait for change to happen — we need to take action and demand that our leaders do better for the youth and the continent," she said.

In his closing remarks, AYSD President Samuel Apeti expressed gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partners, commending the success of the summit and the valuable contributions made.

"We are thrilled with the success of this summit. It demonstrates the power of technology in bridging geographical gaps and creating meaningful connections among young people across Africa. Together, we are building a strong network of youth ready to lead the change we want to see," Mr. Apeti concluded.

The African Youth for Sustainable Development (AYSD) remains committed to promoting youth leadership, empowerment, and sustainable development across Africa through innovative programs, advocacy, and community-driven initiatives.