By Nthambeleni Gabara
The 5th Youth Symposium of the continent’s self-monitoring mechanism-the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) wrapped up with a strong call of discouraging governments across the African continent the continued export of African raw materials.
The two-day 5th APRM Youth Symposium concluded on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The objectives of the APRM youth symposium that was held at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, central Gauteng province, South Africa were to:
To recognise and empower youth as agents of good governance and sustainable development.
To deliberate on key governance priorities, including peace and security, economic inclusion, and digital transformation.
To strengthen interlinkages between AU institutions, national governments, and youth networks for participatory governance.
To provide a platform for developing youth-driven recommendations and policy briefs feeding into the AGR 2027.
Youth Inclusion and Accountability
The symposium delegates urged African governments to sign, ratify, and domesticate AU treaties and protocols that promote youth participation in governance, including the African Youth Charter. The delegates also made a call to young people across the continent to hold their leaders accountable by advocating for the adoption and implementation of AU instruments on youth and women’s empowerment.
One of the symposium outcomes that they demand to be implemented is the electoral reforms that promote inclusive participation, including the reduction of candidacy fees for young aspirants and independent candidates.
Peace, Security and Stability
The youth-centred symposium also used the platform to African Union Heads of State and Government to act decisively to restore peace and protect civilians in Sudan, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Mali, the Sahel Region, and the Central African Republic and Mozambique Cabo Delgado Province. They further emphasised that sustainable peace and good governance are inseparable foundations for the prosperity of Africa’s youth.
Economic Empowerment and Job Creation
The 5th APRM Youth Symposium also noted with concern, the high youth unemployment, the experience barrier in recruitment and the mismatch between education and market needs. The summit also identified economic challenges amongst the youth as a leading cause for drug abuse and mental health challenges.
As a result, they call upon AU governments to adopt inclusive job policies, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen national youth development agencies and their equivalences to finance and mentor young innovators.
Governance and Leadership Renewal
At the symposium where food security and sustainable development, continental integration and movement took centre stage, the delegates also expressed concern over the growing age gap between decision-makers and the populations they serve.
The youth who were also representing different organisations they advocated for the appointment of young leaders in executive and legislative roles, adding that they commend AU member states that have integrated youth into their respective Cabinet positions.
Founder of the Global south bureau in the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hassan Ali Ghazaly said youth-centred symposium is urging the youth across the African continent to acquire skills in science, technology, and innovation to enhance value addition and industrialisation.
When talking about the importance and the relevance of the APRM Youth Symposium, he said: “this is a very important platform that give space to changemakers…African Youth with brilliant ideas gather under one roof to discuss about day-to-day challenges facing young people in our continent.
“For the first time, at this symposium, we’ve so many young politicians from across the continent, who contributed meaningfully with ideas and plans on youth development. We also expressed the need to ensure more youth-led representation in future APRM Youth Symposia and collaboration with other AU agencies, Regional Economic Communities.”
Ghazaly who delivered the outcome statement on the last day of the APRM Youth symposium also announced that the APRM will host a virtual session to reflect on the actionable recommendations before the AU Mid-Year Summit.
Through the Africa Governance Report (AGR), he said the APRM will review outcome of the past Symposiums and support Member States in their implementation.
“The Symposium reaffirmed that “moving from promise to prosperity” demands courage, solidarity, and innovation. Prosperity is not inherited, it is created through collective effort, visionary leadership, and accountable governance.
“The participants called for the institutional strengthening of the APRM and the allocation of adequate resources to sustain youth engagement programmes with measurable impact.
“The delegates of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium pledged to build a legacy of active youth leadership, continental solidarity, and transformative governance in pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa,” he said.
University of Johannesburg International Relations and Political Science graduate, Asiphile Magaqa (23) described the APRM symposium as a relevant platform for the youth of the continent to gather and share actionable plans.
“It is not easy to get young people from across the continent in one space and have a conversation, believe it or not, before we go into practical ways, we need to always have conversations about such things.
“What is also important is not only to end with conversations and message of hope, but it is also take it into actions. What we need to see happening is that we need youth-led and youth-centred symposiums, facilitated by the youth because we are tired of people drafting plans about the youth, but that are not being implemented…we’ve serious pressing issues…we need actionable outcomes that will address unemployment and crime.
“I think, with action more than talk, we will go a long way. We are tired policy documentation that are being drafted all the time…we need to do away with that, and we must focus more to do with action.
Co-founder and deputy chairperson of the African Minds for Applied Research Institute (AMARI), Thato Mazwe Madibo said: “Yes, youth is categorised by age, but my age must not advocate for my work…we are a think tank trying to pioneer the inquisition of the African question through a combination of many dimensions. “We expect our Ministers to be action driven…you can’t tell us things that you cannot do, that’s not how government should work.
AMARI Chair Ntsika Mzananda said: “this is what we think should be the direction of the African continent particularly on governance, security, and job creation. In Africa, we’ve too many talk shops…but we hope that we will come back with a solid approach, and we need more days to deal with our issues, as the two days were not sufficient.
“However, there is a clear openness after the two-day summit by the APRM leaders to get young people to be part of the preparatory team for next year’s event. This commitment gives me hope that they will be a stronger youth presence in the developmental plan for the 2026 youth symposium.
“In the African continent, we don’t have a shortage of policies, but it is worrisome when none of such plans are not put in place…so even if they come up with these new plans to integrate young people, but the question is: are such plans going to be implemented?” he said.
Delivering his opening address at the two-day Youth Symposium, Public Service and Administration Minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi said the envisaged Africa continent cannot rise if the youth remain on the margins because the prosperity of the continent depends on their participation.
“We must therefore continue to urge all AU Member States to mainstream the youth agenda into yearly national policies across all areas of public life, especially in entrepreneurship, trade, governance, and education, among others, and allocate the necessary resources for the successful implementation of that agenda.
“It is crucial that the youth of our Continent should be at the forefront of driving the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Aspirations of the Africa We Want especially in strengthening of the capacity and capability of our institutions to effectively respond to these challenges as a crucial pillar of our response,” he said.
APRM CEO, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre said: “this is your space to propose actionable solutions …let the AU Agenda be driven at national levels and youth voices be heard.”
The APRM continues to strengthen youth inclusion and participation in governance, urging its national structures to host youth governance symposiums and amplify youth-led reforms.