The African Youth Charter, adopted in July 2006, has been instrumental in promoting the rights and participation of young people across the continent. Twenty years on, the charter remains a crucial instrument for ensuring that young people play a vital role in Africa's development. In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, stakeholders gathered to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead.
The charter recognizes the fundamental rights of young people in areas such as education, health, employment, and participation in public life. Mamadou Touré, Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Insertion, and Civic Service, highlighted the initiatives undertaken by Côte d'Ivoire to support young people. These include the creation of over 1.4 million formal jobs and the registration of 6,443 youth associations with his ministry.
Minister Touré also emphasized the importance of youth participation in policy-making. He noted that national consultations in 2026 had gathered proposals from across the country, resulting in 86 recommendations being incorporated into the government's Youth Program 2026-2030. This focus on youth participation was echoed by Ibrahim Diabaté, President of the National Youth Council of Côte d'Ivoire.
Diabaté highlighted the significant engagement of young people in Côte d'Ivoire's decision-making processes. He noted that national consultations in 2025 had mobilized over 3,813 organizations and 7,000 youth leaders, resulting in 60 recommendations being integrated into the National Development Plan 2026-2030. The directrice exécutive of the UNFPA, Diene Keita, praised Côte d'Ivoire's efforts and encouraged other countries to follow suit.
Despite progress, significant challenges persist. The continent faces a shortage of formal employment opportunities, with only 3 million jobs created annually, compared to 10-12 million young people entering the job market. This mismatch has led to increased precariousness and migration risks. Stakeholders emphasized the need for strengthened capital, human development, and youth empowerment.
The discussions in Abidjan resulted in several key recommendations, including the development of vocational training, access to digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and financing for youth entrepreneurship. The minister, Mamadou Touré, assured that the recommendations would be transmitted to the Ivoirian government and taken into account in the follow-up to the youth program.
As Africa experiences rapid demographic growth driven by its young population, the focus shifts from recognizing youth rights to ensuring their effective implementation. The 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter serves as a reminder to governments to evaluate policies and strengthen mechanisms that enable young people to benefit from commitments made in their favor.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire has made significant progress in promoting youth rights and participation, including the creation of over 1.4 million formal jobs and the registration of 6,443 youth associations.
- The African Youth Charter has been ratified by 44 of the 55 African Union member states, demonstrating its importance in continental policies for youth.
- Despite progress, the continent faces significant challenges in providing formal employment opportunities for young people, with a shortage of 7-9 million jobs annually.
