Global Engagements

At Y-ACT, youth leadership is practiced in real spaces where decisions, partnerships, and ideas take shape. This page captures moments where young advocates come together with policymakers, civil society leaders, and development partners to engage on the issues shaping Africa’s future. Through intergenerational dialogues, regional convenings, policy conversations, and community engagements, these gatherings create room for young people to share lived realities, exchange ideas, and influence the conversations that affect their lives and communities. Here you will find reflections on these moments, insights from the discussions, and stories that show how youth leadership translates into action. Each convening reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that young voices are heard, valued, and present at the table where decisions are made.

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Theme: Africa's leadership for a new world health order.

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Shaping National and Regional Policy

AHAIC Youth Summit 2025: Empowering Youth for Health Transformation

Date & Location:

March 2025, AHAIC 2025 (Africa Health Agenda International Conference)

Partners/Stakeholders Involved:

Y-ACT (Youth in Action)
African Union Commission
Various Youth Innovators and Health Advocates

The AHAIC Youth Summit 2025 was a dynamic and impactful event that brought together young leaders, policymakers, and innovators to advance the agenda for youth-led health transformation in Africa. The summit started with high-energy opening sessions featuring prominent speakers such as Desta Lakew, Ilwad Elmi Mohamed, and Dr. Githinji Gitahi, who discussed youth leadership, power dynamics, and the role of young people in shaping health governance. Young innovators Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka and Dominion Paul showcased groundbreaking youth-led digital health solutions, illustrating the transformative power of youth in healthcare. A Fishbowl Q&A and Fireside Chats provided a space for candid discussions on policy gaps, funding challenges, and the future of healthcare leadership. The summit also hosted a high-level Africa Youth Charter @20 session with the African Union Commission, with youth actively shaping the next phase of youth rights and governance. Insights from virtual consultations revealed youth priorities on healthcare access, SRHR, mental health, and economic opportunities. The event concluded with a “Walk for Change,” symbolizing Africa’s youth-led movement for health equity and social transformation.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Energized youth-led discussions on health transformation and governance
Showcased youth-led digital health solutions and innovative advocacy work
Facilitated unfiltered dialogue on policy gaps, funding, and leadership in healthcare
Strengthened youth contributions to the future of the Africa Youth Charter
Highlighted youth priorities on SRHR, mental health, and healthcare access
Fostered networking and collaboration among young leaders for post-summit action

Healing Minds, Shaping Future: Mental Health Advocacy at AHAIC 2025

Date & Location:

March 2025, AHAIC 2025 (Africa Health Agenda International Conference)

At AHAIC 2025, Y-ACT led a powerful PoP (Point of Pride) session titled “Healing Minds, Shaping Future,” addressing uncomfortable truths about African mental health. With the burden of mental health issues disproportionately affecting young people, the session called for urgent action to break the cycles of silence and stigma surrounding mental well-being. The conversation centered on how Africa’s future cannot be built on the neglect of the next generation’s well-being. The session highlighted the high cost of inaction on mental health and the need to build systems that prioritize mental well-being. Solutions were presented that focus on creating environments where young people can speak out, access support, and receive care without fear of judgment. Y-ACT stressed that Africa’s progress depends on the mental health of its youth, advocating for the inclusion of mental well-being in all conversations about the continent’s future.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Raised awareness about the mental health crisis facing young people in Africa
Called for breaking the silence and stigma around mental health
Presented solutions for building mental health systems that support young people
Emphasized that Africa’s progress is tied to the well-being of its youth
Advocated for the prioritization of mental health in all discussions about Africa’s future

Youth-Led Advocacy for Tobacco Control at AHAIC 2025

Date & Location:
March 2025, AHAIC 2025 (Africa Health Agenda International Conference)

Partners/Stakeholders Involved:

Y-ACT (Youth in Action)
Vital Strategies

At the AHAIC 2025, Y-ACT, in collaboration with Vital Strategies, highlighted the critical role of youth in the fight against tobacco use in Africa. As tobacco consumption rises and Africa becomes a key market for tobacco expansion, young people are increasingly targeted by aggressive industry tactics. The conference served as a platform to emphasize the urgent need for youth-led, data-driven advocacy in tackling the growing influence of the tobacco industry, weak regulations, and corporate interference that undermine public health across the continent. Youth advocates took center stage, calling for stronger policies, greater accountability, and a future free from preventable diseases. The discussions focused on how young people are not just passive beneficiaries of policy change but active catalysts, driving policy reforms through increased awareness, digital advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. With non-communicable diseases on the rise, this session reinforced the need for a unified, youth-driven movement to change the trajectory of tobacco control in Africa and ensure healthier futures for generations to come.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Reaffirmed the critical role of youth in driving tobacco control and health equity in Africa
Highlighted the need for stronger policies and regulatory frameworks to combat the tobacco industry’s influence
Promoted the use of digital advocacy and cross-sector collaboration in tackling non-communicable diseases and tobacco use
Strengthened the call for youth as catalysts for policy change in the fight for a tobacco-free Africa

International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM: SpeakUP for a Future Without FGM

Date & Location:

February 6th, 2025, European Parliament- Belgium

Partners/Stakeholders Involved:

Y-ACT (Youth in Action)
Amref Health Africa – Italia
End FGM Network
European and African Activists

On February 6th, 2025, we marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at the European Parliament with a powerful advocacy event under the theme SpeakUP for a Future Without FGM. Y-ACT joined European and African activists in engaging in insightful dialogues on pathways to ending FGM. The focus was on raising awareness, sharing strategies, and exploring actionable steps for policy change. A special mention goes to Amref Health Africa—Italia for leading this advocacy event. The project implemented in Italy showcased the adoption of Y-ACT’s models. These models were used to equip youth leaders from migrant communities in Italy with the tools to advocate for changes in policy and practice, and to raise awareness based on evidence. The event highlighted the importance of youth engagement in the fight against FGM and reinforced the Unite2endFGM campaign as a collective movement to eradicate this harmful practice.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Strengthened dialogue between European and African activists on FGM advocacy
Empowered youth leaders from migrant communities in Italy to push for policy change
Raised awareness of FGM through evidence-based discussions and advocacy
Reinforced the Unite2endFGM campaign and youth-driven solutions to combat FGM
Highlighted the role of youth in driving social change and policy reform

Organizational Development and Systems Strengthening (ODSS) Training for Youth Coalition Members

Date & Location:
March 2025, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Partners/Stakeholders Involved:

Y-ACT (Youth in Action)
YPPD Sierra Leone

Y-ACT successfully concluded a three-day capacity-building training in Freetown, Sierra Leone, focused on Organizational Development and System Strengthening (ODSS) for youth coalition members under the “Empowering Youth for Effective SRHR and Policy Advocacy” project. The training aimed to equip youth-led organizations with the critical skills necessary to thrive and remain competitive in advocacy.

Throughout the intensive training, participants covered a range of essential topics, including resource mobilization, financial management, project management, strategic planning, leadership, and human resource management. These sessions were designed to strengthen organizations’ internal systems, enhancing their ability to sustain impactful SRHR advocacy efforts.

Y-ACT is committed to ensuring that the knowledge gained during the training translates into tangible outcomes. As part of the follow-up process, we are supporting participants in developing capacity improvement plans, ensuring that the learned skills are effectively implemented and contribute to long-term organizational and advocacy sustainability.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Delivered a comprehensive ODSS training, covering key topics for strengthening organizational capacities
Empowered youth-led organizations with critical skills for resource mobilization, financial management, and strategic leadership
Supported organizations in developing capacity improvement plans to ensure the sustainability of SRHR advocacy.
Strengthened advocacy efforts through enhanced organizational systems and internal capacity

Youth Power Hub Assessment: Advancing Youth-Led SRHR Advocacy Across Africa

Date & Location:
2024, Youth Power Hub Policy brief and study

Partners/Stakeholders Involved:

Y-ACT (Youth in Action)
UNFPA ESARO
AFRIYAN ESA

In 2023, the Youth Power Hub conducted a comprehensive assessment of youth-led social accountability efforts across Africa, focusing on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The study emphasized the powerful role youth-driven initiatives play in advocating for SRHR, highlighting both the significant impact they’ve had and the challenges they face.

The assessment also identified key opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness of youth leadership and accountability mechanisms in SRHR. Based on the findings, a newly released policy brief outlines actionable recommendations to strengthen youth advocacy and create supportive systems for social accountability. These insights are set to provide a roadmap for empowering African youth and fostering meaningful change in SRHR policies and practices. A comprehensive study offering an in-depth analysis and strategies for improving youth-led advocacy across the continent was also developed.

Key Outcomes/Impact Points:

Highlighted the significant impact of youth-led social accountability in SRHR
Identified key challenges and opportunities for strengthening youth-led advocacy efforts
Released a policy brief with actionable recommendations to empower youth leadership in SRHR
Provided insights into effective accountability mechanisms for advancing SRHR across Africa

Kenya: Strengthening the National Tobacco Control Framework

From February to June, Y-ACT partnered with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, through the Division of Drugs and Substance Abuse Control (DSAC), alongside county governments, civil society organizations, development partners and technical experts to shape two national policy instruments: The National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan (2026-2030) and the National Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence Treatment and Cessation Guidelines. Through a series of technical workshops, Y-ACT contributed evidence and expertise to strengthen national approaches to tobacco prevention, cessation services, governance and implementation. As a technical partner, Y-ACT participated in reviewing strategic priorities, refining implementation frameworks and strengthening guidance on tobacco dependence treatment, emerging nicotine products and the integration of cessation services into primary healthcare. The organization also advocated for greater inclusion of young people within tobacco control policy processes, ensuring that youth perspectives informed Kenya’s next generation of tobacco control strategies.

Regional Coordination: African Regional Tobacco Control Core Partners' Meeting | Namibia

In April, Y-ACT participated in the World Health Organization-convened African Regional Tobacco Control Core Partners’ Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, alongside the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), Management Sciences for Health (MSH), Development Gateway (DG), African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), government representatives and academic institutions from across Africa. As a core implementing partner, Y-ACT moderated technical sessions on youth engagement and emerging tobacco control issues while presenting progress from its tobacco control programs in Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zambia. The meeting concluded with partners identifying youth-centered advocacy as a regional priority and agreeing to strengthen collaboration on policy implementation across participating countries. It also created opportunities for Y-ACT to deepen strategic partnerships, including a joint advocacy track with ATCA to accelerate implementation of Sierra Leone’s Tobacco Control Act, reinforcing Y-ACT’s role in shaping regional tobacco control dialogue across Africa.

Youth Leadership on the Global Stage

Women Deliver 2026 - Melbourne, Australia | 27 to 30 April 2026

Y-ACT contributed to global discussions at the Women Deliver 2026 Conference, one of the world’s largest global convenings on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), where we delved into critical conversations shaping the future of youth leadership, accountability and gender justice. During the conference, Y-ACT presented the Youth Power Hub Study, elevating evidence and lived experiences from 347 young people across 23 countries in Africa and demonstrating how youth-led accountability can strengthen governance and decision-making. The conference also provided a platform for Y-ACT to engage policymakers, youth leaders, civil society organizations and development partners on meaningful youth engagement, trust-based financing, feminist movement-building and community-led accountability. These conversations continue to inform Y-ACT’s advocacy while strengthening partnerships that support youth leadership across Africa. The launch of the Melbourne Declaration for Gender Equality and the Manifesto for Adolescent Girls’ Rights further reinforced priorities that closely align with Y-ACT’s mission.

Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYOF)

Y-ACT participated in the Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYOF), convening young leaders, governments, development partners and civil society organizations to advance youth-led solutions for sustainable development. The organization’s participation was officially opened by Acting Director Winnie Olwal, who emphasized the importance of youth leadership, collaboration and meaningful partnerships in shaping regional development agendas. Y-ACT also led a technical session on “Youth Leadership in Advancing Alternative Livelihoods and Tobacco-Free Farms,” highlighting that ending the tobacco epidemic requires more than reducing tobacco consumption. It also demands viable economic alternatives for farming communities. By connecting tobacco control with climate-smart agriculture, sustainable enterprises and resilient food systems, Y-ACT advanced a broader conversation on youth leadership in achieving both public health and sustainable development outcomes.

Women Deliver 2026 - Melbourne, Australia | 27 to 30 April 2026

Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYOF)

World No Tobacco Day : A Regional Campaign

Under the global theme “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” Y-ACT coordinated World No Tobacco Day activities across Sierra Leone, Zambia and South Africa. While each country responded to its own policy context, the campaign shared a common objective: amplifying youth voices while advancing stronger tobacco control policy, public awareness and multisectoral collaboration.

Sierra Leone

Y-ACT co-convened a multi-stakeholder tobacco control forum alongside the Ministry of Health, WHO, ATCA, the Health for All Coalition and the National Tobacco Control Steering Committee. The commemoration included school engagement sessions, a public health walk, high-level stakeholder dialogues and advocacy meetings that showcased Y-ACT’s Anti-Tobacco School Clubs as a sustainable youth-led prevention model.

The engagement resulted in renewed public commitment from senior Ministry of Health leadership to support the appointment of the Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Council, an important milestone toward operationalizing the country’s tobacco control governance framework. These engagements further strengthened collaboration among government, civil society and development partners while positioning young people as key drivers of policy and systems change.

Zambia

Y-ACT’s Tobacco Control Coalition in Zambia partnered with the Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZ), the Center for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD), Master Chomba’s Foundation (MCF), the Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia (TCCZ) and other national stakeholders to amplify youth voices through media engagement, public awareness and national advocacy.

The campaign included a national press briefing, a live discussion on Hot FM and participation in the national World No Tobacco Day commemoration at the Mulungushi International Conference Center, where the Coalition showcased policy briefs, parliamentary submissions, fact sheets and other knowledge products demonstrating the impact of youth-led advocacy. Through these engagements, Y-ACT strengthened public awareness, increased the visibility of youth leadership and reinforced evidence-based tobacco control advocacy in Zambia.

South Africa

Alongside advocacy for the proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, Y-ACT and its partners, Get Informed Youth Development Center and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), reached communities, schools and universities through community dialogues, school engagements, university forums, radio interviews and digital media.

The campaign raised awareness of how the tobacco and nicotine industry targets young people through product design, marketing and emerging nicotine products while increasing understanding of the proposed legislation. Radio broadcasts alone reached an estimated 200,000 listeners, reinforcing youth participation in tobacco control advocacy and promoting healthier communities.

International Recognition

Swiss Association for Tobacco Control Feature | June 2026

Y-ACT’s youth-led initiative for tobacco control was featured in an article by the Swiss Association for Tobacco Control (AT Schweiz) titled “When Youth Lead, Policy Follows: Lessons from Africa for Switzerland.” The publication explored what Switzerland and other high-income countries can learn from Africa’s approach to tobacco control and positioned Y-ACT as an example of how meaningful youth participation strengthens public health policy and accountable governance.

The feature highlighted Y-ACT’s work in training more than 1,000 young advocates across Africa, supporting advocacy in 21 countries and influencing policy at national, regional and global levels. It also featured an interview with Acting Director Winnie Olwal on youth leadership, tobacco industry interference and public health policy. The publication positioned Y-ACT not simply as an African program but as a youth-led advocacy model with lessons for tobacco control globally.

Impact Stories

Youth-Led Action: Launching Sierra Leone's First Tobacco Control School Clubs

To mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, Y-ACT celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of Sierra Leone‘s first-ever Tobacco Control School Clubs in Freetown. This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to countering the tobacco industry‘s targeting of young people by empowering them to lead change within their communities. In the lead-up to the launch, Y-ACT organized a two-day orientation workshop to equip school club leaders with the knowledge and tools needed for grassroots advocacy.

The workshop covered tobacco control policies, the health impacts of tobacco use, and practical strategies for mobilizing peers and engaging community leaders. National media engagement amplified these efforts, raising public awareness and building momentum for youth-led tobacco control.

At the launch, students united with a powerful call to action, urging the President of Sierra Leone to appoint the Tobacco Control Council Chairperson and fully implement the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act. Their advocacy underscored the urgency of enforcing protective policies prioritizing young people‘s health over industry interests. Through this milestone, Y-ACT reaffirms Amref‘s commitment to advancing youth-led advocacy for stronger tobacco control across Africa, ensuring that young people are protected and active leaders in building healthier futures.

Y-ACT at WCTC

This June, Y-ACT proudly represented African youth voices at the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. The conference, attended by over 1,300 delegates from 100 countries, marked 20 years since the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control came into force, setting a powerful backdrop for renewed global commitment to ending tobacco-related harm. At the conference, Y-ACT showcased how young people across Africa drive policy change and lead community-level action to counter the tobacco industry’s tactics. Through participation in technical sessions, youth forums, and high-level plenaries, Y-ACT amplified the urgency of centering youth as co-architects of sustainable health systems. A highlight was the closing session, where Y-ACT’s Regional Program Lead, Winnie Olwal, delivered a powerful call to action, urging governments to adopt enforceable tobacco control measures and to recognize youth leadership as central to building healthier futures. Her words captured the spirit of the conference:

“We are not the next generation but the NOW generation.”

Throughout the three days, Y-ACT joined global partners in shaping conversations on effective policy implementation, innovative advocacy approaches, and the critical role of youth in driving accountability. The delegation engaged in strategic sessions on budget advocacy for tobacco control, cross-sectoral partnerships, and youth-led campaigns from Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, and Sierra Leone, sharing practical tools for amplifying youth voices in policy spaces. Our participation at WCTC 2025 reinforced Y-ACT and Amref’s commitment to empowering young people to lead in building a tobacco-free Africa, ensuring they are not only beneficiaries of health systems but active drivers of change. This global platform enabled cross-regional learning, expanded partnerships, and positioned African youth leadership as a cornerstone in the worldwide tobacco control movement.

DAC 2025: African Child Rising in Sierra Leone

To commemorate the Day of the African Child 2025, Y-ACT organized African Child Rising: Youth Talks and Talent Showcase in Freetown, Sierra Leone, creating a youth-led, intergenerational platform to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), harmful practices, and the barriers young people face in asserting their rights. Aligned with this year‘s theme, “Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now,“ we posed a vital question: What is necessary for young people, particularly girls, to access education in healthy and secure environments fully? The answer echoed throughout the event: SRHR cannot be separated from education, agency, or dignity. In the lead-up to the event, a rapid call invited adolescents and youth across Sierra Leone to identify an SRHR issue that mattered to them and propose a creative solution.

Within 96 hours, over 30 entries were received, with many highlighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a significant barrier to girls‘ rights. From this pool, five finalists were selected to present their ideas through poetry, essays, videos, and spoken word, using their voices to inform, inspire, and advocate for legislative action and cultural change. The event gathered 100 participants, including school pupils, university students, SRHR advocates, and adult allies. Through dialogue circles, anonymous Q&A walls, and intergenerational conversations, young people led discussions, asked tough questions, and shared lived experiences on what needs to change. A standout moment was Tity Memunatu Samantha Sannoh‘s powerful spoken word performance on ending FGM, which earned her the top award.

Her call to protect children‘s rights and end harmful practices inspired all in attendance, reminding us that rights are not abstract concepts but lived realities that must be safeguarded to ensure every child‘s health, dignity, and potential. The African Child Rising initiative reaffirmed Amref‘s commitment to placing young people at the heart of health and rights advocacy, ensuring they are heard and lead as co-creators of a healthier, more just Africa.

Championing Youth Leadership at DCYDE! Austria

This May, Y-ACT contributed to the DCYDE! Networking Event in Vienna, a key global platform shaping the future of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) through digital, inclusive, and cross-cultural collaboration. In a keynote speech and workshops co-supported by Y-ACT’s Youth Steering Committee, we shared insights from our evidence-based, youth-led advocacy model, which is driving measurable policy influence, gender equality, and SRHR outcomes across Africa.

Key highlights from our engagement:

Global interest in youth-led tools: Y-ACT’s Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE) Scorecard drew strong interest from Global North partners exploring how to adapt it to track youth participation in their governance contexts, underscoring how tools developed within Africa’s policy landscape can inform accountability frameworks globally.

Amplifying youth voices digitally: We showcased Sauti Sasa, one of Y-ACT’s past projects that used documentaries, digital magazines, and social media campaigns to center youth experiences in national and regional discourse on health and gender.

Bridging education and lived realities: Educators engaged on the complexities of delivering comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and explored Y-ACT’s approach in engaging parents and communities to localize and destigmatize these conversations.

South-North knowledge exchange: Y-ACT demonstrated how digital advocacy and community-rooted strategies can contribute globally to more inclusive, effective GCE frameworks.

AHAIC Youth Summit 2025

The AHAIC Youth Summit 2025, led by Y-ACT, was a resounding success, bringing together young leaders, policymakers, and innovators to advance youth-led health transformation across Africa. The summit explored the role of youth leadership, power dynamics, and how young people influence health governance. Young innovators Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka, Y-ACT YSC Member, and Dominion Paul shared their groundbreaking work in youth advocacy and digital health, demonstrating how youth-led innovation actively reshapes health and development landscapes.

The summit also featured a high-level Africa Youth Charter @20 conversation in collaboration with the African Union Commission, where youth leaders contributed to shaping the next phase of youth rights and governance across Africa. Key insights from Y-ACT‘s three virtual regional consultations were shared, capturing the priorities of young people on healthcare access, SRHR, mental health, and economic opportunities. The summit fostered connections among young leaders, building alliances and strategies to translate conversations into post-summit action. The momentum built at the AHAIC Youth Summit 2025 continues beyond the room, as young people across Africa lead, innovate, and disrupt for healthier, more just futures.