African Youth Panelists have called for an inclusive economic opportunity at the 6th African Philanthropy Conference held in Cairo, Egypt.
The session dubbed “Africa’s Future: Strengthening Youth-Led Impact Investment, Ethical and Equitable Financing,” also spotlighted the lived experiences of young people, especially teen mothers, rural youth, and marginalized communities, and called for urgent reforms in how Africa invests in its future.
The panelists, Nirere Ange (Rwanda), Sira Dalouse (Senegal) and, the National Coordinator and Founder of Do Your Part, Matthew Bota (Malawi), through testimonies, highlighted the barriers many young people face in accessing dignified work and sustainable livelihoods.
“Young girls, mostly from rural areas, often become pregnant early due to poverty and limited access to opportunities,” said Nirere Ange. “We need inclusive social impact investment that engages teen mothers, equips them with skills for sustainable livelihoods, and addresses their broader societal challenges.”
Matthew Bota emphasized the role of youth-led philanthropy, arguing that it is common for young people with limited resources to come together and raise funds through peer contribution and material support online.
“This shows the power of collective youth action in filling funding gaps,” he said.
Reiterating these sentiments, Sira Dalouse called for innovative solutions to economic exclusion.
According to her, young mothers are forced to create parallel systems because they can’t work regular jobs due to childcare and domestic responsibilities. Adding that, there is the need to empower them to earn income through sustainable and flexible opportunities.
The session reinforced the need for ethical and equitable financing models that go beyond traditional grantmaking. It underscored the importance of recognizing young people, especially those on the margins, as investors, innovators, and co-creators of Africa’s development.
As part of the African Youth Panel’s initiative, these youth-led voices continue to challenge dominant narratives and offer bold, community-rooted alternatives for inclusive economic systems across the continent.
About the African Youth Panel
The African Youth Panel (AYP) is a participatory action research initiative established in response to the growing number of young people in Africa who lack access to dignified and fulfilling work. This initiative is based on a partnership between TrustAfrica and the Mastercard Foundation. AYP serves as a platform for young Africans to explore ways to create secure and sustainable futures by identifying the issues and
barriers that hinder their access to meaningful work in their communities and fields of interest, and curating and designing solutions to address them.
The initiative operates in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe and is supported by anchor institutions in each country. Learn more at: www.trustafrica.org.
Media Contact: Joshua Kweikuma Quaye Communications Officer, African Youth Panel Email: quaye@trustafrica.orgtact: Joshua Kweikuma Quaye Communications Officer, African Youth Panel Email: quaye@trustafrica.org
