Communiqué of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium Held on 10–11 November 2025 at the Pan-African Parliament, Midrand, Republic of South Africa

Communiqué of the 5^th APRM Youth Symposium Held on 10–11 November 2025 at the Pan-African Parliament, Midrand, Republic of South Africa

Preamble

The 5^th APRM Youth Symposium was convened at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Republic of South Africa, from 10 to 11 November 2025, under the theme “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity.” The Symposium was officially opened with a keynote address by H.E. Vincent Emmanuel Angelin Meriton, former Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles. It was organised by the African Peer Review Mechanism in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Pan-African Parliament. 

The Symposium was attended and supported by a wide range of partner institutions, including GIZ, ACCORD, Pan-African Youth Union, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Inclusive Society Institute, South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA), Institute of Pan-African Thought and Conversation, G20/Y20, Afrobarometer, Paramount Media/MTV, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), European Partnership for Democracy, Ichikowitz Family Foundation, and UNFPA.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Inkosi (Chief) Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration and APRM National Focal Point, delivered a message of support reaffirming South Africa’s continued commitment to the APRM and its initiatives.

The Symposium was further honoured by the attendance and active participation of H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Deliberations and Outcomes

The 5^th APRM 2025 Youth Symposium:

• RECALLS the Decision of the APRM Forum of Heads of State and Government – chaired at the time by the late H.E. Idriss Déby Itno, former President of the Republic of Chad and AU Youth Champion – mandating the APRM to convene an annual Youth Symposium to institutionalise youth participation in the APRM process and to promote democracy, governance, and accountability across the continent.
• FURTHER RECALLS the outcomes of the first APRM Youth Symposium, held in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad, in July 2018, which called for the mainstreaming of youth participation in APRM processes and governance structures at all levels.
• INSPIRED by the forthcoming Africa Governance Report 2027 (AGR-2027) themed “Youth and Governance in Africa: Towards Global Leadership,” the Symposium REAFFIRMS its commitment to evidence-based policy formulation and peer learning to advance Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• REQUESTS the African Peer Review Mechanism through its national structures and its robust consultative process to conduct targeted reviews on youth contributing to the review of the African Youth Charter at 20 in 2026 and its appraisal for responsiveness to the needs of the young generation.
• FURTHERRECOMMENDS the urgent establishment of the African Union Youth Fund to support the resourcing of all youth development initiatives.
• COMMENDS the excellent contributions of the outgoing African Union Youth Envoy and RECOMMENDS the institutionalisation of the office and the provision of adequate support to meet the needs for African youth engagement.

Youth Inclusion and Accountability

• URGES African governments to sign, ratify, and domesticate AU treaties and protocols that promote youth participation in governance, including the African Youth Charter.
• CALLS upon young people to hold leaders accountable by advocating for the adoption and implementation of AU instruments on youth and women’s empowerment.
• UNDERSCORES the importance of electoral reforms that promote inclusive participation, including the reduction of candidacy fees for young aspirants and independent candidates.

On Peace, Security, and Stability

• APPEALS to African Union Heads of State and Government to act decisively to restore peace and protect civilians in Sudan, Eastern DRC, Ethiopia, Mali, the Sahel Region, and the Central African Republic and Mozambique Cabo Delgado Province.
• COMMENDS the excellent work by the African Youth Ambassadors for Peace and AU countries that have launched their National Plan of Actions.
• EMPHASIZES that sustainable peace and good governance are inseparable foundations for the prosperity of Africa’s youth.

On Economic Empowerment and Job Creation

• NOTES with concern the high rate of youth unemployment, the barriers posed by the requirement for work experience in recruitment, and the mismatch between education and labour market needs, and IDENTIFIES the economic challenges faced by youth as one of the main causes of drug addiction and mental health problems.
• CALLS upon African Union governments to adopt inclusive job policies, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen national youth development agencies and their equivalences to finance and mentor young innovators.
• COMMENDS the Government of South Africa for progressive legislation supporting youth empowerment, particularly through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and notes it as a best practice.

On Governance and Leadership Renewal

• EXPRESSES concern over the growing age gap between decision-makers and the populations they serve.
• ENCOURAGES the appointment of young leaders in executive and legislative roles, commending Member States that have integrated youth into cabinet positions.
• STRESSES the need to ensure greater representation of young people at future APRM symposiums dedicated to youth, and to strengthen collaboration with other African Union institutions and Regional Economic Communities. ALSO STRESSES the importance for the African Union, Member States, the private sector and development partners to support the organisation of this leading continental platform dedicated to youth-led governance.

On Socio-Economic Development and Innovation

• DISCOURAGES the continued export of African raw materials, urging the youth to acquire skills in science, technology, and innovation to enhance value addition and industrialisation.
• CALLS for the full realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the operationalisation of the Pan-African Payment and, Settlement System (PAPSS) to strengthen intra-African trade using local currencies.
• WELCOMES the establishment and launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and commends the Republic of Mauritius for hosting its headquarters.
• URGES governments to adopt gender-responsive budgeting to address gender-based violence and promote women’s economic inclusion.

On Continental Integration and Movement

• NOTES with concern that Africa continues to be fragmented by colonial-era borders and therefore ENCOURAGES the ratification and implementation of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons to strengthen Pan-African unity and mobility.

On Food Security and Sustainable Development

• EXPRESSES concern over persistent food insecurity despite Africa possessing over 60% of the world’s arable land, and CALLS for renewed investments in agriculture, agro-processing, and climate resilience.

Conclusion

• REAFFIRMS that “moving from promise to prosperity” demands courage, solidarity, and innovation. Prosperity is not inherited, it is created through collective effort, visionary leadership, and accountable governance.
• CALLS for the institutional strengthening of the APRM and the allocation of adequate resources to sustain youth engagement programmes with measurable impact.
• PLEDGES to build a legacy of active youth leadership, continental solidarity, and transformative governance in pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous, and united Africa.
• The APRM will host a virtual session to reflect on the actionable recommendations before the AU Mid-Year Summit. Through the AGR the APRM will review outcome of the past Symposiums and support Member States in their implementation.

Adopted at Midrand, Republic of South Africa, this 11^th day of November 2025.