Afrika Matters Initiative
Organization Details
Africa Matters is a youth-led organisation committed to upskilling and empowering African youth to change the narrative through capacity building and community impact projects. We have impacted the lives of over 27 000 African youth and diaspora through our Schools Leadership Development Program (SLDP), Young Leadership Development Program (YLDP), Africa Matters Ambassadors Program (AMAP), ShE is Empowered (ShE) and Events. Our events feature networking evenings, workshops on African leadership and women empowerment, school talks on youth empowerment, annual Summits titled ‘Towards a Better Africa’, and an active online platform for robust dialogue. We exist to upskill and empower youth to better their communities.
Impact Story
Africa has the youngest population in the world with over 226 million youth between 15-24 years old (Africa Renewal, 2013). This youth boom has been described as a “ticking time bomb” and an economic burden due to high levels of youth unemployment, a lack of education and skills, and poor social infrastructure in many African countries. According to the 2012 African Economic Outlook report, this youth boom will double by 2045. The UNICEF Generation 2030 Africa 2.0 report calls on investment in youth with effective programmes to ensure that the youth boom is an economic opportunity rather than an economic burden.
Africa Matters believes that Africa’s youthful population is an opportunity for the development and continued growth of Africa. Our why is that we want to see all African youth become change-makers who empower those around them. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
Within the next 5 years, Africa Matters aims to upskill and empower 10 000 young Africans, of which 70% are young womxn, through our flagship programs, which are as follows:
1. Youth Leadership Development Program
2. Schools Leadership Development Program
