On Africa Day, TrustAfrica, in partnership with Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP) and Youth Accountability Initiative Africa (YAI Africa), convened young leaders, creatives, activists and policy actors under the theme “Beyond Debt: Reimagining Africa’s Future and Economic Transformation through Youth Voices and Creative Action.”
Held in Harare ,Zimbabwe, the convening created an intergenerational and Pan-African space for critical reflection on debt, governance, economic justice and Africa’s future. Through dialogue, storytelling, poetry, music and policy engagement, young Africans explored how debt, extractive economic systems and illicit financial flows continue to shape inequality, unemployment and underdevelopment across the continent.
Speakers challenged participants to reimagine a new African economic architecture rooted in justice, dignity, accountability and African agency. Discussions connected historical struggles for liberation with present-day economic realities, while emphasizing the urgency of youth participation in governance and civic processes.
The convening amplified youth voices as central to shaping Africa’s future. World Café discussions highlighted young people’s perspectives on debt crises, natural resource governance and economic transformation, while creative performances by artists and spoken word performers demonstrated the power of art as a tool for advocacy, resistance and social change.
The event reaffirmed TrustAfrica’s commitment to strengthening youth-led civic engagement and advancing collective action towards an economically just and sovereign Africa.
