youth 5 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Africa's Youth Demand Active Role in Shaping Continent's Future
Young African leaders are urging for increased investment in youth-driven initiatives, emphasizing that the continent's prosperity hinges on empowering young people to lead policy, job creation, and innovation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/beyond-speeches-youth-leaders-chart-path-for-africa-s-future-5547890
The 2026 Billi Now Now (BNN) Youth Summit in Kampala has become a focal point for young African leaders to articulate a vision for the continent’s future. Hundreds of entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers gathered to stress that Africa’s destiny lies not in its natural resources, but in the dynamism of its youth.
Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand Africa, kicked off the three-day summit with the theme “Africa Recharged: Youth Power. Bold Voices. Real Change.” He asserted that young people are the “architects of Africa’s future,” not merely recipients of development aid. Nabimanya highlighted that the Billi Now Now Movement was established to foster connections among young Africans actively engaged in problem-solving through entrepreneurship, technology, community organizing, advocacy, and innovation.
The summit also marked the expansion of Reach A Hand Uganda into Reach A Hand Africa, broadening its reach to Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Burundi. This expansion acknowledges the shared challenges faced by young people across the continent.
The BNN Movement is moving into a new phase, aiming for greater local ownership and sustainability following the exit of a key partner. The summit is structured to move beyond mere discussions, with participants focusing on developing actionable plans in critical areas: health, education, climate action, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and responsible technology.
Hardy Ruremesha, Executive Director of Spring Communities in Burundi, shared his organization’s success in transforming plastic waste into eco-friendly products, creating jobs while addressing environmental issues. He echoed the sentiment that “we are not the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of today.” Kenyan youth leader Rasheed Mutaha emphasized the need for adaptability and the strategic use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, noting that a significant majority of young Africans desire greater access to resources and decision-making power.
The summit aims to produce youth-led action plans and policy recommendations to bolster youth involvement in governance, entrepreneurship, climate action, and technological innovation, translating ideas into tangible community improvements and policy influence.