On 5 October 2024, the Young Africans Network for Global Goals (YANGG) convened the third edition of its flagship annual conference, Africa the Future, under the theme “Local Actions, Global Impact.” The event brought together youth leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators, and strategic partners from across the continent to explore how locally driven, youth-led solutions can advance continental and global development goals.
Opening the conference, YANGG Founder Collins Ibeawuchi reflected on the organisation's journey and reaffirmed its commitment to leadership, innovation, education, and youth empowerment, describing young people as “torchbearers of progress.”
Keynote sessions explored finance and innovation as engines of social impact — from financial innovation and social enterprise to blended financing models — with contributions from leaders at Fidelity Bank, DFC Holding, and BPC, and references to African success stories such as M-Pesa, Zipline, and M-Kopa. A panel on reimagining African leadership examined practical pathways for youth participation in governance, accountability, and civic engagement, with technology as a recurring theme.
The conference also recognised speakers, partners, and contributors through awards. Aligned with SDGs 4, 8, 16, and 17, it positioned youth leadership and collaboration as essential pillars of Africa's future.
