Pan-African Parliament President Calls for a New Social Contract with Africa’s Youth at the APRM 5th Youth Symposium 2025

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has called for a fundamental reordering of Africa’s governance priorities to place youth at the heart of democratic participation, digital transformation, and economic integration. Speaking at the opening of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium held under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity”, Chief Charumbira’s address underscored the urgency of transforming Africa’s youthful population from a statistical majority into a decisive force for prosperity and peace.

Youth: Africa’s Defining Opportunity and Its Greatest Test

Citing data from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Chief Charumbira noted that Africa’s youth population, already over 60% under the age of 25, is projected to grow by 180% by the end of the century, even as Europe and Asia experience declines. This “youth bulge,” he warned, could either drive a demographic dividend or fuel instability if leaders fail to act.

“If we invest wisely in the creativity, vitality, and determination of our youth, Africa’s demographic advantage can become its greatest asset,” he said. “But if we fail to integrate young people meaningfully into governance and the economy, that same advantage could turn into a source of discontent and instability.”

Charumbira highlighted the links between youth exclusion, unemployment, and rising insecurity, referencing case studies showing that 53% of former extremist recruits in Africa were aged 17–26 at the time of joining, often due to economic desperation.

Governance Must Be Co-Designed with Youth

The PAP President reaffirmed the complementary roles of the Pan-African Parliament and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in deepening democratic governance and accountability. While the APRM advances peer learning and evaluation, PAP gives legislative expression to Africa’s citizens.

“These two institutions complement each other,” he said. “Both are designed to make governance more transparent, inclusive, and responsive. Governance must be participatory: young people do not wait to be invited; they should already be at the table.”

He described the Parliament’s growing collaboration with youth networks, student movements, and professional associations across the continent as part of its institutional mission to make continental governance “accessible to citizens, especially the youth.”

Digital Inclusion and Innovation: A New Frontier for Governance

Recognizing Africa’s dynamic digital generation, Chief Charumbira called for equitable access to technology, warning that many young Africans, particularly rural youth and young women, remain excluded from the digital economy.

He announced that the Pan-African Parliament, in partnership with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), will soon begin drafting two Model Laws on Cyber Security and on Artificial Intelligence to strengthen digital governance and protect innovation ecosystems.

“Technology must serve development, not division,” he said. “We must promote digital literacy, protect data, and ensure that the digital revolution is not just for the privileged few but for every young African.”

From Job-Seeking to Job Creation

Addressing the structural challenge of unemployment, Charumbira urged African governments and private actors to reorient towards entrepreneurship, industrialization, and regional value chains, enabling youth to create jobs rather than merely seek them.

“We must shift from job-seeking to job-creation,” he declared. “Governments, the private sector, and development partners must build ecosystems that support youth-led ventures, from renewable energy to agritech and manufacturing.”

The PAP, he assured, will continue advocating for inclusive economic policies that expand access to credit, mentorship, and markets for young Africans.

Youth at the Centre of Africa’s Integration Agenda

Chief Charumbira also placed youth at the centre of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, describing it as “a moral and historical duty.”

“Every time you collaborate across boundaries, you strengthen the idea of One Africa,” he said, urging participants to move from “conversation to implementation”.

He challenged policymakers to ensure that existing frameworks, including Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa, are matched with “consistent follow-through and measurable action.”

A Call to Action and a Renewed Commitment

Closing his address, Chief Charumbira distilled his message into three core imperatives:

1. Youth are not the future — they are the present.
2. Governance is everyone’s responsibility.
3. Unity across generations is Africa’s greatest strength.

“Africa’s most valuable resource is not its minerals or land, it is its people, and above all, its young people,” he concluded. “The Pan-African Parliament reaffirms its commitment to work with the APRM and all youth stakeholders to advance inclusive governance and sustainable development.”

About the Symposium

The 5th APRM Youth Symposium, co-organised by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), brought together young leaders, policymakers, and experts from across Africa under the patronage of H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.

The two-day forum, themed “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity,” focused on peacebuilding, e-governance, entrepreneurship, and reparative justice, echoing the African Union’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”