AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council

Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA - an affiliate initiative of @OneYoungAfrica under @YouthAfCFTA to galvanize youth inclusion in AfCFTA

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Missed Day 1 of the #AfCFTAYouthDay2026 in Kampala?

From youth-led trade to breaking barriers in cross-border markets, Day 1 brought together key voices to discuss making the AfCFTA work for Africa’s next generation.

🎥 Here’s a recap of the key moments and conversations!

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Today, we officially kick off the #AfCFTA Youth Day Celebrations 2026, in Kampala.

As we celebrate five years of ICOYACA, we reflect on our journey of championing youth participation in Africa’s trade agenda and look ahead to what more we can achieve together.

[YouLead Africa @OneYoungAfrica]

The South African Institute of International Affairs @SAIIA_info invites young Africans to a virtual policy dialogue on “Youth Shaping Africa’s Present and Future: The AYC@20.”

Friday, 13 November 2026
14:00–17:00 SAST | 15:00–18:00 EAT

Register via: https://t.co/hkyYhYO8K4

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Two days of meaningful conversations, renewed commitments and collective action!

The 5th AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 has officially come to a close in Kampala, Uganda, marking five years of ICOYACA’s journey in championing youth participation in Africa’s continental trade agenda.

Over the past two days, we brought together young cross-border traders, policymakers, trade institutions and development partners to discuss the barriers young Africans face in accessing regional markets, advancing the Youth in Trade Charter and making the AfCFTA work for Africa’s next generation.

Together with our partners, AGRA and Generation Africa, we have continued to amplify the voices of young traders and push for practical solutions that make continental trade more inclusive, accessible and beneficial to young people.

As we leave Kampala, our commitment remains clear: moving beyond conversations to action, strengthening partnerships and ensuring young Africans are not just participants but key players in shaping Africa’s trade future.

Thank you to everyone who made these two days possible. The work continues!!! @AGRA_Africa @GenAfrica_ @Emolot_AD @AfCFTA @Henrealy

[Generation Africa @GenAfrica_]

As #AfCFTAYouthDay2026 comes to a close in Kampala, two days of conversations have reinforced one message:

Africa’s trade future must create real opportunities for young people.

Together with @ICOYACA, @AGRA_Africa through Generation Africa, has been part of discussions on breaking trade barriers, expanding market access and advancing the Youth in Trade Charter.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Adoption of Kampala Declaration - AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 https://t.co/EdeSfci8IS

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

🎂 Five years of ICOYACA!

This afternoon, we cut the cake at AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 in Kampala to celebrate our fifth anniversary and everyone who has helped build this organisation.

Our journey began in November 2021 at the YouLead Africa Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, with the guidance and support of @OneYoungAfrica, @MSTCDC and the @GIZAfricanUnion Office, alongside regional partners and the @AfCFTA Secretariat.

Since then, we have built a network of country chapters, delivered trade education and bootcamps, convened AfCFTA Youth Day and showcased the experiences of young African traders. Our work on the Youth in Trade Charter continues this commitment to strengthening young people’s participation in African trade.

Thank you to our Chairperson, @Emolot_AD, for his stewardship, our Acting Secretary-General, @itsElenaNomis, and the entire ICOYACA team, country chapters and regional champions for their dedication.

To our members and partners, thank you for building with us. Here’s to the next chapter and more young Africans trading across borders! 🌍

[OPIO EMMANUEL 👑 @emmanuelopio52]

As an active gallant @Makerere intellectual, I commit myself in different engagements that brings together young people in an attempt to create transformation in the social economic situation. @ICOYACA thank you together with @ICOYACA for blessing the youths.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Together with our partners, AGRA and Generation Africa, we’re continuing the conversation on youth trade integration and inclusive markets.

🌍 Join us online! Register for the livestream and be part of Day Two:
https://t.co/xXgtCnwqip

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

📸 Day Two of AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 is underway in Kampala!

We started the morning with reflections on yesterday’s discussions, followed by a networking session where participants shared contacts and connected with one another.

Today’s programme builds on those conversations, exploring what it will take to make the AfCFTA work for young traders. We will also reflect on five years of ICOYACA, hear research on trade, sustainable development and climate change, and work towards the adoption of the Kampala Declaration.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

DAY 2: AfCFTA YOUTH DAY 2026 https://t.co/oSJGSnH87O

[East Africa Young Leaders Forum @EAYLF_official]

Yesterday, our member Natasha @NatashaAhereza participated as a panelist at Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Youth Day 2026,held at Makerere University, Kampala,Uganda

Under the theme "Youth Trade Integration and Inclusive Markets for Africa's Next Generation."

[Gloria Chebet @ChebetGloriah2]

DAY 1
Honoured to serve as a delegate at @ICOYACA YOUTH DAY 2026

Crossing the border is easy. Getting finance, markets & growth? That's the real hustle.

Young Africans don't just need open borders, we need open opportunities.

The #AfCFTA must work beyond the border for youth & women.

#AfCFTAYouthDay2026 #ICOYACAat5 #Agenda2063 #YouthInTrade @Makerere
#AfCFTA
@TrassyleenO @GirlsMentrship @MindVerse_ @mtic_uganda @AGRA_Africa @GenAfrica_

[Trassyleen Ankunda @TrassyleenO]

I am Honoured to moderate this year’s AFCFTA Youth Day in #KampalaUganda along with my sister Esther Kerewaa from Ghana.

This day is organized by Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council (ICOYACA) @ICOYACA @Emolot_AD on AFCFTA @AfCFTA in partnership with AGRA @AGRA_Africa and the Generation Africa @GenAfrica_ @Henrealy
On the theme : Youth Trade Integration and Inclusive Markets for Africa’s Next Generation.

[Andrew Collins Kirya 🇺🇬 @andrewcollinsk]

Today, I had privilege to take part at Africa youth day 2026.
We broke down the Africa youth charter
Discussed cross border trade and how to eliminate non tariff barriers.
The people and conversations never left me the same.

Our future is brighter

[Joshua Mawerere @joshuamawerere]

Today, I hosted a panel discussion at the AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 Conference themed "YOUTH TRADE INTEGRATION & INCLUSSIVE MARKET FOR AFRICA'S NEXT GENERATION"

My discussants from @mtic_uganda,
@URAuganda, @kacita_uganda & COMFWB #Zimbabwe.

Thanks to @ICOYACA @AGRA_Africa

[Elone Ainebyoona @Eloneainebyoona]

It was a pleasure engaging youth of Africa on proposals to revise the financing architecture of youth development funding. At the heart of all promoting trade within the continent is the need for patient capital that can sustain youth Devt. @AfCFTA @WorldBankAfrica @ECA_OFFICIAL

[Generation Africa @GenAfrica_]

AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 Opens in Kampala as African Youth Push for More Inclusive Cross-Border Trade.

https://t.co/UzLCo7illF

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Session 5: Beyond the Border - Markets, Finance and a Seat at the Table.

Crossing the border is only one part of the journey. What happens when young traders need financing, access to markets and opportunities to grow their businesses?

The session explored the wider challenges facing young African entrepreneurs seeking to participate meaningfully in continental trade.

For the AfCFTA to deliver inclusive growth, young Africans need more than access to borders. They need access to opportunities beyond them.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

How do we turn continental trade commitments into practical tools that young African traders can use?

Our 1st panel at #AfCFTAYouthDay2026 brought together AGRA/Generation Africa, WACTAF, AFECTASA, the Malawi Cross-Border Traders Association and young women traders to examine the Youth in Trade Charter as an instrument for meaningful participation in the AfCFTA.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

Today, we officially kick off the #AfCFTA Youth Day Celebrations 2026, in Kampala.

As we celebrate five years of ICOYACA, we reflect on our journey of championing youth participation in Africa’s trade agenda and look ahead to what more we can achieve together.

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

This afternoon, the focus turns to markets, finance and a seat at the table, followed by a live case clinic on responding to the barriers young traders face.

🔴 you can still join the livestream! Register here:
https://t.co/xXgtCnwY7X

[AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council @ICOYACA]

📸 A look at this morning at AfCFTA Youth Day 2026 in Kampala!

Our opening sessions focused on young people’s participation in African trade, from the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade to the Youth in Trade Charter as a practical tool for young traders. Trade information, customs procedures and safe cross-border trade also featured on the morning’s programme.