Kenya is among nine countries set to benefit from youth development programs.
ChildFund International and LEAP Africa organisations have partnered to jointly design and deliver programs for youth on leadership, education, employability and entrepreneurship.
In a statement, Africa Regional Director for ChildFund Chege Ngugi said empowering youths will allow them to exploit their full potential.
“Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 60 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30,” Ngugi said.
“This high number of youths presents a great opportunity for the continent’s growth but only if they are fully empowered and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
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The two organisations will undertake joint resource mobilisation for programs targeted at youth development.
They will also implement the Youth Day of Service, the annual week-long social impact campaign observed from August 12.
Youth Day of Service is designed to ignite the agency and creativity of young people across Africa towards sustainable development and the promotion of a culture of communal support and development.
Other countries to benefit from the program include Uganda, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea, Zambia and Mozambique.
LEAP Africa acting executive director Kehinde Ayeni said the partnership provides an opportunity to “engage the hands and hearts” of individuals, and public and private stakeholders towards sustainable development.
The partnership combines LEAP Africa’s innovative programs for youth with ChildFund’s experience in implementing development programs.
The programs include education and skilling, targeting adolescents and youth in marginalized and under-resourced communities across Africa.
Their goal is to ensure that young people have rights, influence, connection and opportunities to pursue their life goals and contribute to the development of their communities.