AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council-Benin

Affiliated to the Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA @ICOYACA

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

This article by @IvanAtuyambe profoundly captures the essence of a generational challenge and opportunity. At @ICOYACA, we wholeheartedly agree with the assertion that Africa's young entrepreneurs are not just job seekers but job creators, driving innovation and addressing systemic challenges through their resilience and creativity.

The Council recognizes that despite their enormous potential, young entrepreneurs in Africa face significant hurdles, as he has eloquently outlined: limited access to capital, systemic biases, inadequate mentorship, and restrictive regulatory frameworks. These are real barriers that stifle the growth of promising ideas, preventing them from scaling and contributing to economic transformation. However, we must emphasize that addressing these challenges is not just a moral obligation but a strategic imperative for the sustainable development of Africa.

What the Council is Doing.

The Council is committed to creating an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs thrive and lead. In alignment with the vision of the @AfCFTA, we focus on equipping youth entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to expand their businesses across borders.

The Council has championed initiatives such as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, adopted by the @_AfricanUnion Heads of State, to promote youth-friendly trade policies, simplify customs procedures, and create a supportive business environment for cross-border trade. Additionally, it amplifies youth voices by including them in decision-making processes and creating platforms like the @Youthdome to foster dialogue, celebrate innovation, and shape policies that empower youth to lead Africa’s economic transformation.

A Call to Action

We echo Ivan’s call to “walk side by side” with young African entrepreneurs. The Council believes this requires a multi-stakeholder approach where governments, the private sector, and civil society collaborate to dismantle systemic barriers and build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.

While the resilience of young African entrepreneurs is commendable, resilience alone is not enough. They need tangible support, streamlined policies, access to affordable capital, and opportunities for cross-border trade. The Council remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that Africa’s young entrepreneurs are not just participants in trade but leaders in transforming the continent’s economic landscape. All we just need is financial support to continue this work.

Let us work together to empower the agents of change already shaping Africa’s future. As Ivan rightly points out, “Africa’s young people are not waiting for change; they are driving it.” It is our collective duty to stand with them, remove obstacles, and create pathways for their success.

Together, we can achieve a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous Africa.

Asante Sana || Merci 👏
@AfriYBC @AUYouthProgram @MastercardFdn

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

As we continue commemorating @ICOYACAofficial’s 3rd anniversary, we are reminded that true impact begins with passion, grows through collaboration, and thrives on resilience. The bedrock of ICOYACA’s Journey.

Together over the years through the council, we have turned ideas into action and dreams into change, proving that when young people lead with purpose, the future is unstoppable.

Thank you all for believing in us and supporting us. We commit to continuing our mission of ensuring our African youth are at the center of the @AfCFTA implementation process and benefit from the economic opportunities provided by it.

Most importantly, through our bottom-up engagement strategy, we aspire to ensure that No Youth is Left Behind in the process.

Asante Sana 🙏
@IvanAtuyambe @P_Sebahizi @MeneWamkele @AUYouthProgram @CEGEofficiel @SP_AfCFTA @YouthConnektAf

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Happy International Youth Day our AfCFTA Champions.
@AfCFTA @ICOYACAofficial

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

3/3) The goal is to inspire all National Youth councils to champion discussions around AfCFTA. This initiative is crucial as AfCFTA aims to benefit young people by reducing trade barriers and fostering a more inclusive and accessible trading environment.

Asante Sana 👏

@PYU_UPJ

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

2/3) National Youth Councils have the strategic mandate to ensure that youth voices are not only permanently represented in all sectors of government including the National AfCFTA Implementation Committees but also meaningfully engaged.
@EmmaXfactor

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

1/3) National Youth Councils play a critical role in fostering meaningful youth inclusion in the @AfCFTA implementation processes at National level. For example @NYCofUganda organized the inaugural AfCFTA Youth Business Symposium last year in April.

@sebaprunce @Jacobeyeru

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Full presentation can be accessed on my LinkedIn post via the link: https://t.co/er8cMrPyqA

Asante Sana 👏

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

By fostering intra-African trade, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth, the AfCFTA puts money into the pockets of our youth. With financial stability, young people can make informed, democratic choices, voting for leaders who represent their best interests.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Democracy cannot truly flourish in a society where the majority live in poverty that’s why championing the successful @AfCFTA implementation to create 30m jobs for our youth is paramount. This was the focus of my speech during the @YDUA_AFRICA Conference in Kampala.

@KasUganda

[Lennon Monyae @LennonMonyae]

As an Honorary #Ugandan 🇺🇬 I am extremely happy to endorse my friend and brother, @Emolot_AD, as he takes a bold step into leadership. Uganda is fortunate to have this exceptional young leader, renowned for his remarkable initiatives and unwavering dedication to the country and the African continent. His enthusiasm is inspiring, and his love for Uganda and Africa is unparalleled. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy, and I firmly believe that he is the ideal candidate for the youth.
Go for it @Emolot_AD

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

3/3 These elections underscore the fluidity of voter loyalty, the importance of coalition-building, and the resilience of South Africa's democratic processes.

Being the biggest economy, it is key to be updated coz political instability has effects to the #AfCFTA implementation.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

2/3 For the first time since 1994, the ANC has fallen below 50%, securing just over 40% of the vote. The MK Party dramatically garnered 14.59% within five months, it outpaced the EFF's 9.5%. Meanwhile, the DA maintained its position as the official opposition with nearly 22%.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

1/3 Reflecting on the SA election results, one can't help but think of Mandela. He likely could never have predicted that a few years after his passing, ANC would face the reality of coalition, illustrating the dynamism of democracy and the evolving priorities of the electorate.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

4/ As we honor our past and look forward to a brighter future, let us continue to empower our youth, the architects of a peaceful and united Africa. Together, we build a continent that thrives on unity, peace, and shared prosperity. #AfricaDay2024
@ICOYACAofficial @AUYouthProgram

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

3/ This initiative is a key step in including youth in trade in AU’s peace-building efforts, operationalizing the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace, & Security (CFYPS). By fostering a new generation of youth leaders, we invest in a peaceful, prosperous future for Africa.

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

2/ The workshop, a joint effort by @ICOYACA & @UNESCO_MGIEP, with support from @APRMorg & @TheJNLC, is part of our AfCFTA, YPS project.

We trained 25 youth & engaged over 100 virtually, equipping them with social-emotional competencies & peace-building skills.

@LennonMonyae

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

1/ 🌍 Today, as we commemorate #AfricaDay & marks the 20th anniversary of @AUC_PAPS, a beacon of our collective commitment to peace across Africa, we’re excited to share the success of the inaugural workshop for youth in Trade Waging Peace, held in Uganda.
@AfCFTA @_AfricanUnion

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

🌙✨ Eid Mubarak to all our AfCFTA Champions! 🌟 As we bid farewell to Ramadan and welcome Eid-al-Fitr, let's celebrate unity, collaboration, and prosperity across Africa. 🌍 Together, let's build a brighter future for all!
@ICOYACAofficial @AfCFTA
#EidMubarak 🕌🤝

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

Through this project, we are not just building economic bridges; we are fostering dialogue, understanding, & solidarity among the youth of Africa. We firmly believe that economic integration goes hand in hand with peacebuilding & social cohesion.

Asante Sana 👏
@AfCFTA

[Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD]

(3/4)Today, as I lead @ICOYACA, we are passionately committed to contributing to the @_AfricanUnion Youth, Peace, & Security Agenda through our groundbreaking initiative, the AfCFTA Youth, Peace, and Security Project, also known as the Building Bridges Peace Project.
@AfCFTA