Addis Ababa, 22 May 2026 – “Africa will not transform itself without its youth, and Africa’s youth will not transform the continent without opportunities.” This was the central message from Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, Director of the Economic Commission for Africa’s Subregional Office for Southern Africa, during a pre-Africa Development Impact Forum webinar held on 14 April 2025 on the theme “Unlocking Regional Value Chains: Empowering Youth-Led Enterprises in Africa to Thrive Under AfCFTA“.

Organized by ECA SRO-SA in collaboration with the Southern Africa Youth Forum, the webinar brought together policymakers, private-sector representatives, youth organizations, entrepreneurs and development partners to examine how the African Continental Free Trade Area can become a practical engine for youth entrepreneurship, industrialization and job creation. Read more