The 6th East Africa Youth Leadership Conference 2025

The East African region is standing at a pivotal moment—where rising youth unemployment, climate change, and rapid technological shifts demand bold, innovative solutions. In response to these challenges, the East Africa Youth Parliament (EAYP), in partnership with government ministries, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations, will host the 6th Bi-Annual East Africa Youth Leadership Conference 2025 at Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, Diani–Kwale County.
This year’s conference is themed “Addressing Unemployment Through Smart Agriculture, Entrepreneurship & Climate Action.” 

Bringing together over 1,000 youth leaders, policymakers, diplomatic missions, researchers, innovators, and international partners, the conference offers a transformative platform for meaningful dialogue, capacity building, policy action, and youth-led innovation.

A Growing Need for Youth-Centered Solutions

According to UN demographic projections, Africa’s youth population is set to increase by 42% by 2030, highlighting an urgent need to create sustainable opportunities that match the aspirations, skills, and potential of young people. The East African Community has already prioritized youth inclusion through the EAC Youth Policy (2013), emphasizing empowerment, participation, and comprehensive support frameworks for youth.
EAYP, conceptualized in 2007, remains an essential platform for young people across the region to proactively influence policy and development agendas. 

Why This Conference Matters

The 6th EAYLC aligns with critical Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).
This year’s theme highlights the Smart Agriculture–Entrepreneurship–Climate Action Nexus, focusing on how innovative, sustainable approaches can unlock economic opportunities and strengthen climate resilience across the region.

The conference seeks to inspire a generation of solution-oriented leaders capable of driving transformation in governance, agriculture, climate resilience, and entrepreneurship. 

Key Focus Areas & Sub-Themes

The event will unpack a broad set of interconnected topics, including:

• Climate-Smart Agriculture for job creation
• Agri-entrepreneurship, value addition & innovation
• Green finance, investment opportunities & climate funding
• Technology & digital solutions in agriculture
• Climate adaptation & resilience
• Youth & women empowerment in agribusiness
• Circular economy & waste-to-wealth innovations
• Youth participation in policy and governance
• Peace, security & social cohesion
• Collaborative leadership for climate and economic growth

These sub-themes reflect the urgent need to integrate youth perspective into climate governance, food systems, economic planning, and technological adaptation. 

Conference Objectives

The 6th EAYLC aims to achieve several transformative objectives, including:

• Promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems
• Fostering youth-led green entrepreneurship
• Strengthening policy advocacy and youth inclusion
• Building capacity through mentorship, training and networking
• Showcasing youth-led innovations and best practices
• Inspiring leadership and co-creation in governance and policymaking
• Empowering youth with knowledge and tools for actionable solutions
  These objectives build a foundation for long-term, youth-driven impact in both economic and environmental spheres.

Methodology: An Engaging and Impactful Experience

The conference is designed to be deeply participatory and engaging, featuring:

• Keynote speeches from high-profile leaders, policymakers, and experts
• Panel discussions with specialists across agriculture, governance, and entrepreneurship
• Breakout sessions for targeted knowledge sharing
• Policy dialogues with government and development partners
• Action-planning workshops to develop implementable solutions
• Networking forums that build cross-border partnerships
  This interactive approach ensures that participants not only learn but actively contribute to shaping outcomes and policies.

Expected Outcomes

The 6th EAYLC is expected to deliver:

• Youth-led policy recommendations for governments and regional bodies
• Action plans for climate-smart agriculture, innovation, and governance
• Strengthened networks between youth, government, CSOs, and private sector actors
• Enhanced capacity in leadership, entrepreneurship, and climate resilience
• Increased awareness of opportunities in green sectors and governance
  These outcomes aim to accelerate youth inclusion in decision-making and sustainable development across East Africa.

Why This Conference Is a Turning Point

Youth unemployment in East Africa remains critically high—Kenya, for instance, faces a youth unemployment rate of 39%. Only 12% of parliamentary seats in Africa are held by youth under 35, demonstrating a persistent gap in representation. Meanwhile, youth-led climate initiatives have shown measurable impact, such as 30% waste reduction in communities following youth climate action summits.
These statistics underscore the importance of creating platforms like EAYLC to provide youth with visibility, skills, and influence.

A Call to Action

The 6th Bi-Annual East Africa Youth Leadership Conference is more than an event—it is a movement. A movement to reposition youth as the driving force behind climate action, sustainable agriculture, transformative governance, and economic resilience.

EAYP invites all stakeholders—governments, private sector leaders, development partners, NGOs, academia, and youth organizations—to join in championing a green, inclusive, and prosperous East Africa shaped by the ingenuity of its young people.