AU Should Give Africa’s Youth More Than a Seat at the Table

Africa’s young people should no longer be treated only as the future of the continent. They should be given a stronger role in making the decisions that affect Africa today, President of the Abdou Samb Foundation, Abdou Samb, has said.

Samb is advocating for the African Union to formally recognise young Africans as the “seventh region” of the continent, arguing that such recognition could create a stronger and more organised pathway for young people to participate in African affairs.

The proposal is based on the reality that Africa has an overwhelmingly young population. More than 60 per cent of Africans are young, while the continent’s political leadership remains largely made up of older people. Samb believes this wide age gap has contributed to a situation where young people are often discussed in government policies but have little influence over the decisions themselves.

The call gained momentum after the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in February 2026. On June 16, more than 1,000 young Africans in Johannesburg backed the proposal, while the idea was also presented in Bujumbura during celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter.

Samb, however, said the proposal should not end with the African Union simply announcing that youth constitute a seventh region. He warned that Africa has seen similar situations where recognition looked impressive on paper but produced little change in practice.

He referred to the African diaspora, recognised by the AU as the sixth region on July 11, 2003, as an example. Although the decision was seen as an important step towards including Africans living outside the continent, Samb said the diaspora has not received the level of influence, funding and participation that would make the recognition truly transformative.

According to him, the same mistake must not be repeated with young Africans. The seventh region must have the ability to put forward ideas, influence policies, receive funding and demonstrate what it has achieved.

Another major issue raised by Samb is merit. He said young people who eventually occupy positions within the proposed structure should not get there simply because of political connections, friendship with influential people or other forms of favouritism.

He argued that Africa already has millions of capable young people who are ready to contribute, including professionals in the diaspora who want to bring their knowledge and experience back to the continent. What is often missing, he said, is a clear system for identifying and giving opportunities to the right people.

Samb’s argument is therefore not simply that young Africans need another organisation or another title. His message is that Africa must change how it includes its younger generation. The proposed seventh region, he said, should become a practical way of turning Africa’s young population from observers and recipients of policies into active participants in shaping the continent.

For Samb, giving youth a seat is only the beginning. The real test will be whether that seat gives them the voice, resources and authority to make a difference.

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