Kenya to host over 1,000 youth leaders for CorpsAfrica ACC conference

Dr Patricia Kingori-Mugendi, the Kenyan Director for CorpsAfrica, during the 2025 CorpsAfrica ACC Stakeholder Mobilisation for ACC 2025 that will host 1,000 youth from 10 African countries, on April 4, 2025. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

Kenya is set to host over 1,000 youths for the second CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference (ACC 2025), a major gathering of youth leaders, volunteers, and development experts focused on advancing community-led solutions across the continent. This conference, organised by CorpsAfrica, an international non-governmental organization active in 10 African countries, arrives at a pivotal moment for Africa’s youth.

Acting Director Finance and Administration Tom Wanyama noted that with over 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa's population under the age of 30, and projections placing the youth population at 830 million by 2050, the continent is on the brink of a demographic shift that could redefine its future.

“Our objective as an organization is to mobilize college-educated youth by providing a platform to make a difference in regional communities through volunteerism and entrepreneurship,” said Dr Wanyama in a speech delivered on his behalf of Director General Kenya School of Government Prof Nura Mohammed.

As Africa faces pressing development challenges and opportunities, Dr Wanyama emphasized that ACC 2025 positions youth not just as recipients of aid but as architects of transformation—one village, one idea, one volunteer at a time.

He also mentioned that the upcoming conference is being held in partnership with the Kenya School of Government, which has committed to supporting CorpsAfrica’s mission of empowering African youth through service. Dr Wanyama urged partners and stakeholders to rise to the occasion.

“The demand for change from young people across the continent reflects the determination of a well-educated generation eager to shape their own future,” he said. “As joint stakeholders in advancing youth leadership, innovation, and development, we must increase our mentorship, funding, and collaboration efforts to address the most pressing needs of young people across the continent.”

Since its founding, CorpsAfrica has placed college and university graduates in local communities as volunteers, working closely with residents to develop and implement projects that meet local needs. These projects, which span sectors like education, public health, food security, and climate action, are designed using Human-Centered Design (HCD) and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches.

Volunteers receive two months of training before being deployed for a 10-month community residency. The projects are co-owned by the communities, who contribute at least 25 percent of the resources, emphasizing strong investment and sustainability.

“This is a time of hope and opportunity. With the right investments in training and skills development, Africa’s youth have the potential to drive sustainable development in rural, under-resourced communities and shape the continent’s future,” he added.

ACC 2025 follows the success of the inaugural conference held in Rwanda in 2023 and is expected to build on that momentum. The one-week program in Nairobi will feature interactive workshops, panel discussions, and impact storytelling sessions centered on youth leadership, innovation, and community-led development.

The conference will also serve as a platform for fostering cross-sector collaboration. At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, key players like Dr. Samora Otieno, Chief Program Officer at CorpsAfrica, and Caspar Pedo, Kenya Programmes Head at the Mastercard Foundation, stressed the need for stronger partnerships between the public sector, development agencies, and private institutions to expand the reach of youth-led initiatives.