Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt greetings to all the young people across our continent and in the diaspora as we mark this year’s International Youth Day.

This day calls us to recognize the extraordinary power of youth to turn aspiration into action—especially where change is needed most. Africa’s renewal begins with young people who do not wait, but lead with ingenuity and resolve.

Permit me also to congratulate the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate and our partner, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, for their dedication in delivering the inaugural AU State of Volunteerism in Africa Report.

This launch—a culmination of meaningful engagement throughout the day—marks a milestone for our Union. It is a testament to our collective resolve to recognize, document, and elevate the contributions of volunteerism to Africa’s progress. It reaffirms the essential role of volunteerism in advancing Agenda 2063 and flagship initiatives such as the One Million Next Level (1MNL). This achievement is the product of steadfast partnership and shared vision, and I express my deepest appreciation to all who made it possible.

Excellencies,

The launch of this report is especially fitting as it coincides with International Youth Day and anticipates the International Year of Volunteers in 2026—a moment of global focus on service and solidarity.

The African Union fully recognizes the transformative power of volunteerism in empowering youth, opening doors for meaningful participation, and driving development. This is also enshrined in our Youth Charter, which calls on African Member States to institutionalize volunteerism and develop robust youth policies and programmes at every level.

Furthermore, the decision of our Heads of State and Government in January 2010 to establish the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) affirmed our commitment to youth empowerment and recognised youth volunteerism as a catalyst for Africa’s development.
Through the Youth Volunteer Corps, we have recruited, trained, and deployed hundreds of young professionals across the continent. In so doing, we have fostered a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, nurturing the spirit of Pan-Africanism among today’s and tomorrow’s leaders.

Our emphasis on volunteerism, particularly youth volunteerism, rooted in African culture and Pan-African values, is deliberate. It provides a powerful platform for our youth to develop skills, gain practical experience, and build the social capital needed to tackle our continent’s most pressing challenges.

As we launch this report, I must also acknowledge the young women and men who, through the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps, have strengthened the very fabric of this Commission. Today, youth volunteers serve in almost every key department, in our agencies, and across our organs, bringing energy, ingenuity, and an unshakable spirit of service.

Their contributions have been transformative, driving progress in both policy and operations, and advancing our shared goals. We owe these youth volunteers heartfelt gratitude. They have served selflessly, enabling the Commission to deliver its mandate with greater reach and effectiveness.

To each of them, I say: thank you. You exemplify that volunteerism is not an interruption in one’s professional journey, but a powerful enrichment of it.

Colleagues,

As Africans, we know that the future is never inherited fully formed. It is prepared for, cultivated, and entrusted—just as one generation tills the soil, so the next may harvest. That is why we must invest deliberately in our young people, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values to carry forward the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

By building their capacity today, we secure the future of our collective vision. We ensure they can carry the torch with clarity, competence, and conviction, transforming vision into reality.

Looking ahead, our task is clear: Africa’s youth must be celebrated for their service and fully empowered to lead our transformation. Their creativity is not a supplement to our work — it is the force that can move us from intention to impact.

To harness this force, we must continue to generate evidence of the value of volunteerism— evidence that will shape stronger policies and unlock greater opportunities for youth engagement across the continent. We must also remember that programmes like the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps are shared endeavours.

Their growth depends on the active commitment of all our departments, agencies, organs and Member States. When we take collective ownership, we give them the strength to reach further, scale faster, and deepen their impact. The Commission encourages Member States to continue designing and implementing national policies and action plans that integrate volunteerism into broader development and youth employment strategies.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let us leave here today with a renewed pledge—to champion volunteerism not only as a means of empowering Africa’s youth, but as a driving force for our shared journey toward The Africa We Want.

Thank you. Asante Sana.