More than 1,000 young change-makers, policymakers, philanthropists, and development partners from across Africa converged in Nairobi on Wednesday for the opening of CorpsAfrica’s 2025 All-Country Conference (ACC 2025). The flagship biennial gathering, held under the theme ‘Leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming the Continent,’ saw speakers unanimously call for African governments to institutionalize youth volunteerism as a fundamental pillar of national development. They urged policymakers to foster enabling environments and align volunteer programs with broader socio-economic objectives, including job creation, civic engagement, and education.

Liz Fanning, Founder and CEO of CorpsAfrica, articulated the organization's vision: “At a time when Africa’s youth are calling for meaningful opportunities and a voice in shaping their future, we stand firm in our belief that they are the solution. Our vision is to cultivate a generation of African leaders—rooted in community and committed to sparking sustainable change from the grassroots up.” Building on the momentum of the ACC 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, this five-day summit hosted at the Kenya School of Government aims to elevate the role of African youth as present-day catalysts for community-led transformation.

ACC 2025 brought together CorpsAfrica Volunteers, alumni, and staff from all 11 operating countries: Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda, The Gambia, South Africa, and Côte d'Ivoire. This gathering marked a significant continental milestone in celebrating the power of volunteerism, African philanthropy, and youth innovation. Dr. Samora Otieno, CorpsAfrica’s Chief of Programs, highlighted their operational model: “Since 2011, we’ve deployed over 1,000 African volunteers to under-resourced rural communities—not to impose solutions, but to listen, collaborate, and implement low-cost, high-impact community-led projects rooted in Indigenous knowledge.” He emphasized that these projects serve as transformative platforms for human-centered design and asset-based community development.

The tangible results of CorpsAfrica's work are impressive: since 2021, volunteers have spearheaded more than 10,500 social and economic activities and 425 small-scale, high-impact community projects, collectively improving the lives of nearly 2 million people. These grassroots efforts address Africa’s most pressing challenges, from education and clean water access to food security and youth entrepreneurship, one community at a time.

The conference convenes at a pivotal moment, as Africa, the world's youngest continent with over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa's population under 30, grapples with a staggering youth unemployment crisis. For example, Kenya's youth unemployment rate exceeds 38%, while Nigeria and South Africa face even higher rates of 42% and 46% respectively. ACC 2025 aligns with global recognition of volunteerism’s transformative potential, including the UN Volunteers’ 2022 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, which advocates for formally recognizing volunteer time as a measurable national economic asset. Dr. Patricia King'ori-Mugendi, Country Director of CorpsAfrica/Kenya, emphasized, “We must reframe volunteerism - not as unpaid work, but as transformative leadership and professional development that accelerates public service for the 21st century.”

CorpsAfrica envisions ACC 2025 as a catalyst for a fundamental shift: harnessing African philanthropy to scale grassroots innovation across the continent. The June 16-20, 2025 gathering embodies Ubuntu principles through its commitment to pan-African knowledge exchange and collaborative action. Beyond conventional conferences, ACC 2025 delivers actionable outcomes, ranging from youth investment policy dialogues to hands-on social enterprise incubators and community innovation demonstrations. This initiative reframes the youth empowerment conversation, positioning volunteerism not merely as an alternative but as a strategic springboard to meaningful employment, entrepreneurial success, and values-driven leadership. Participants benefited from robust professional development workshops and received professional certificates upon completion of their volunteer service, aiding their career acceleration.

The Government of Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and innovation during the conference. Hon. Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sport, challenged African nations to break free from donor dependency. He urged a collaborative approach where governments, local businesses, diaspora networks, and communities jointly invest in youth volunteerism programs that deliver tangible opportunities, social inclusion, and dignity. Mvurya declared, “Africa’s youth have spoken with unmistakable clarity. They want jobs - not handouts; platforms - not patronage; and action - not promises. As policymakers, we recognize this reality. Young people aren't waiting - they're building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead.”

As the premier organization equipping young Africans to lead sustainable change in their communities, CorpsAfrica exemplifies a transformative development model conceived, led, and implemented by Africans. Dr. King’ori-Mugendi concluded, “The All-Country Conference sends a clear message to our youth. As Africa’s true transformation architects, your place isn’t just in boardrooms – it’s in villages, farms, classrooms, and clinics. Real leadership begins where people live, work, and struggle.” By embedding service into education curricula, employment systems, and national development frameworks, CorpsAfrica is creating an ecosystem where community-driven solutions become Africa’s sustainable growth engine.