The 5th African Youth Symposium ended on a high note in Johannesburg as Egyptian youth leader Hassan Ghazaly formally handed over the conference outcomes to Mr. Dada Morero, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, and Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Vilakazi, Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The handover marked a symbolic moment for young people across the continent, underscoring their growing involvement in shaping Africa’s governance and development agenda.
The two-day gathering, hosted at the Pan-African Parliament under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity,” brought together a powerful mix of African and international personalities. Among the high-profile attendees were the President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira; the Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Youth, Hon. Laila Daahi; the Secretary-General of the African Youth Union, Ahmed Bennegh; and the Chairperson of South Africa’s National Youth Development Agency, Dr. Sunshine Monihenh Leimenh. Also present were former Seychelles Vice President H.E. Vincent Meriton, former AU Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, representatives of international organisations, and coordinators from the APRM Secretariat.
This year’s Symposium maintained its reputation for deep, action-oriented dialogue. It featured high-level opening sessions, academic exchanges, political roundtables, and youth innovation showcases. Delegates engaged directly with African Union officials, policy experts, and decision-makers, ensuring that discussions went beyond rhetoric. A dedicated exhibition space highlighted youth-led projects from across Africa, creating a practical link between policy recommendations and real-world impact.
At the heart of the conference were detailed working group discussions that examined pressing issues including peace and security, digital participation, governance reforms, economic development, youth employment, restorative justice, and the 20-year review of the African Youth Charter. Participants explored how Generation Z can influence modern governance models, how economic reforms can create more opportunities for young people, and how the continent can confront colonial legacies through restorative justice and equitable development frameworks.
Delivering the Symposium’s final recommendations, Hassan Ghazaly said African youth are no longer content with promises but are actively demanding a shift towards inclusive and accountable governance. He called for a complete review of the African Youth Charter to reflect current realities, especially as it marks its 20th anniversary. Ghazaly also stressed that meaningful youth participation is tied directly to the continent’s stability, warning that peace efforts will continue to falter unless young people are fully integrated into governance and national decision-making.
“Prosperity is not a gift to be granted, but built through collective effort, visionary leadership, and accountable governance. This is the renewed pledge of the delegates of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium, striving for a more peaceful, prosperous, and unified African continent.”He issued a strong appeal to African Union leaders, urging immediate action to protect civilians and restore stability in conflict-hit regions such as Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel. He emphasised that the age gap between leaders and citizens remains a major barrier to democratic participation and called for electoral reforms that reduce candidacy fees and widen opportunities for youth and independent candidates.
On economic matters, Ghazaly expressed concern over the persistently high levels of youth unemployment and the growing mismatch between education systems and labour market needs. These challenges, he noted, continue to fuel social problems including drug abuse, crime, and mental health crises. He urged governments to adopt policies that support entrepreneurship, empower national youth development agencies, and move African economies from raw material exportation to value-added production driven by science and technology. He further highlighted the importance of operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthening the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to boost intra-African trade.
Ghazaly also underlined the need for gender-responsive budgeting, insisting that women must be placed at the centre of development efforts. According to him, prosperity will not come by chance but through deliberate action, shared responsibility, and visionary leadership.
He concluded with a powerful message that resonated throughout the Pan-African Parliament: “Prosperity is not a gift to be granted, but built through collective effort, visionary leadership, and accountable governance. This is the renewed pledge of the delegates of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium, striving for a more peaceful, prosperous, and unified African continent.”
The final outcomes now handed over to city and APRM leadership are expected to inform future frameworks on youth governance and continental development initiatives.
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