Reflections from a Regional Youth Summit 2026 by Yewo Grace Gondwe
Have you heard of the African Union Roadmap on harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in Youth? It is an initiative to usher African countries towards the aspirations and goals of the agenda 2063 and the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. It calls for member states to maximize their potential to harness a Demographic dividend through key investments in the following pillars: Employment and Entrepreneurship, Education and Skills Development, Health and Well-Being and Rights, Governance, and Youth Empowerment.
MCLD’s Southern Africa Regional Coordinator and Lead for Global Youth Taskforce joined the Malawi Delegation at the Regional Youth Summit 2026 on Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The summit was convened by the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Future”.
“Investments in youth health, empowerment, and participation are not optional but essential for achieving sustainable development and leveraging Africa’s demographic potential.”
-Dr. Ntuli A. Kapologwe, ECSA-HC Director General
The summit created a powerful space for young people across the region to connect, learn, network, and contribute to meaningful discussions shaping the future of the continent. Key highlights include:
- Africa’s youth bulge is not a burden, it is an opportunity to unlock sustainable development therefore member states must intentionally invest in them
- Africa has developed progressive policies aimed at transforming the continent and improving the lives of communities. It is now the collective responsibility of young people to hold governments accountable to turn these policy commitments into concrete actions and measurable impact
- Member states should strengthen political commitment to Adolescent and Youth SRHR as a core pillar of demographic dividend strategies
Through our Global Youth Taskforce, MCLD is not only amplifying community voices but also contributing meaningfully to a regional movement that prioritizes investment in young people as the cornerstone of sustainable development.
“If Africa is to fully harness its demographic dividend, we must continue building bridges across borders. Regional solidarity is not optional – it is essential”.
– Yewo Grace Gondwe
Featured Photo Credit: ECSA