The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has unveiled a regional youth leadership academy at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa.

The first cohort, which comprises 30 young leaders drawn from IGAD member states: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, will undergo training in leadership, governance and regional integration.

Presiding over the launch on Monday, June 30, 2025, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu underscored the urgency of investing in Africa’s youth, noting that the continent is poised to become home to nearly one billion young people by 2030.

“By 2030, the African continent will be home to nearly one billion young people. Today, the IGAD region is home to over 260 million people, more than 60% of whom are below the age of 35. This is not just a statistic. It is a reality that the future of our region rests in the hands of its young people,” he said.

He emphasised that Africa is grappling with challenges that demand bold leadership and collective action.

The cohort

“You are the generation that will redefine what is possible. Through innovation, courage, and collaboration, you can change not only your communities but the entire region.”

Further, he stated that leadership is not defined by titles but by service, sacrifice, and decisions that shape generations.

“Leadership is not about titles. It is about service. It is about lifting others as you rise. It is about making choices today that will echo in the lives of generations to come,” he told the cohort.

Additionally, Workneh extended sincere gratitude to the governments of Kenya, Sweden, and Japan for their steadfast support in bringing the Academy’s vision to reality.

“Through this academy, we are nurturing a new generation of leaders, equipped with the knowledge, values, and vision needed to shape a more resilient and prosperous IGAD region and contribute meaningfully to Africa and the world,” he remarked.

 This comes at a pivotal moment for Kenya, which has been witnessing an unprecedented surge in youth-led civic activism.