Youth summits are everywhere. This one is built to leave behind commitments you can track — with governments, the private sector and partners in the same room.
Since 2017, the Summit has been Africa’s space for direct dialogue between young people and policymakers. In Kigali, that dialogue becomes a launchpad.
Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it.
Frantz Fanon · The Wretched of the Earth, 1961
Digital integration and informal trade
Trust, legitimacy and accountable governance
Dignified work and livelihoods in the modern economy
Join 5,000+ young leaders, ministers and investors at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Date & Venue: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
9th – 19th Nov 2026 for local delegates | Venue: Gasabo District Hall
20th – 25th Nov 2026 for international delegates | Venue: Kigali Convention Center
Format: Workshop, Hosted by the YCA Hub | Venue: Ubumwe Grande Hotel
Dates: 23rd – 24th November 2026
Format: Workshop | Venue: Ubumwe Grande Hotel
Partners: YCA, UNDP, AfCFTA, AUC
Dates: 23rd – 24th November 2026
Format: Workshop | Venue: Mashariki Arts Academy
Partners: MFF, MAA
Dates: 23rd – 24th November 2026
Format: Workshop | Venue: UNIPOD – UR, CST
Partners: UNDP
Dates: 23rd – 24th November 2026
Format: By invitation only | Dates: 24th November 2026
Format: Networking and entertainment – DJ
Venue: Auditorium – Kigali Convention Center (KCC)
Format: High-Level Plenary
Presidential Xchange
Format: Moderated conversation with Heads of State
Theme: “Shaping the Generational Mission”
Launch of Youth Spaces
Marketplace: Youth innovations/products Marketplace
Format: Open conversation with an Eminent Personality | Room: Auditorium
Passing the torch, Civic action across generations
Lead partner: ASG | Format: Cine debate | Room: MH3
YouthConnekt Congo Basin: Harnessing the Congo Basin’s Natural Capital for Youth Employment
Lead partner: YC Congo Brazza | Format: Regional Side Event | Room: MH1
Policy Roundtable on Climate change and SRHR
Lead partner: UNFPA, AUC, Imbuto Foundation | Format: Policy Roundtable | Room: MH4
Health Corner – AD11 | Connecting Zone – AD12 | AUC Egumeni Hub – AD10
Format: Banquet | Hosted by: GoR | by invitation only | Venue: KCC
Kigali Immersion Activities
Film Screening – Format: Outdoor film screening Hosted by: Mashariki Film Festival
Imagine Kigali Day – Format: Networking Activities Hosted by: Zaria Court
Format: Networking and entertainment – DJ
Venue: Auditorium | Format: Mix of TED Talk and Interactive Panel | Room: Auditorium
Beyond the City: Building Resilient Livelihoods 4 Rural Young Women (Part 1)
Lead partner: BRAC | Format: Workshop | Room: MH2
Room: Auditorium | Format: High-level interactive Panel Engagement
Skilled to Trade
Lead partner: AfDB, TDB, GIZ | Format: Interactive panel | Room: MH1
Beyond the City: Building Resilient Livelihoods 4 Rural Young Women (Part 2)
Lead partner: BRAC | Format: Workshop | Room: MH2
Influencing the Change, Youth leadership
Lead partner: YCA YAC | Format: Ted Talk | Room: MH3
ACET Youth Policy Lab
Lead partner: ACET | Format: Workshop | Room: MH4
Health Corner – AD11 | Connecting Zone – AD12 | AUC Egumeni Hub – AD10
Venue: Auditorium | Format: Generational Debate with eminent personalities
Making Finance Work for Rural Youth Enterprises
Lead partner: Catholic Relief Services | Format: Learning Spotlight and Youth Fireside | Room: MH1
YouthConnekt XRegions
Lead partner: YouthConnekt Mano River Union and Sahel Regional Forum | Format: Learning Spotlight and Youth Fireside | Room: MH2
Buy from Youth: Turning Green Livelihoods into Green Markets
Lead partner: FAO, WFP | Format: Masterclass | Room: MH3
Policy Round Table on Inclusive Trade
Lead partner: YCA Hub, Mastercard, UNDP | Format: Roundtable | Room: MH4
Health Corner | Connecting Zone | AUC Egumeni Hub
Venue: Auditorium | Format: Mix of entertainment activities
Format: Networking and entertainment – DJ
Venue: Auditorium | Format: Mix of Fire side chat and Innovation spotlight
Venue: Auditorium | Format: segmented High-level interactive session
YouthConnekt Southern Africa: Pitch Your Country
Lead partner: Republic of Zambia, UNDP ECoWYERT Project | Format: Generational debate with eminent personalities | Room: MH1
Legacy Vs NexGen: The future of sport economy for Africa
Lead partner: YCA Hub, Minisport | Format: Generational debate with eminent personalities | Room: MH2
Africa’s Creative Wealth
Lead partner: UNDP Africa | Format: TedTalk | Room: MH3
Thrive Africa: Investing in Innovative Youth Health, Education & Empowerment
Lead partner: UNFPA, Imbuto Foundation, African Union | Format: Intergenerational Fireside Chat & Youth Solutions Arena | Room: MH4
MRU YouthConnekt Steering Committee
Lead partner: YouthConnekt Mano River Union | Format: Boardroom | Room: AD7
Health Corner | Connecting Zone | AUC Egumeni Hub
Venue: Auditorium
Venue: Nyarutarama Green Carpet
Format: Ministerial Meeting – by invitation only
Format: City excursions
Visa · official requirements for your nationality (no invitation letters are issued)
Hotels · recommended stays from 3★ to 5★ near the venue
Getting here · airport arrival, transfers and getting around Kigali
