The Chairperson of Pan African Movement (PAM) — Rwanda Chapter, Protais Musoni, has said that Africa should leverage its buoyant youth population to drive the continent’s prosperity, particularly towards agenda 2063.

Musoni was briefing the media on Wednesday ahead of the 3rd Congress of PAM which will take place Saturday, February 26 at the Kimihurura based Parliamentary Buildings.

"Africa has a population of over one billion people and around 60 per cent of them are youth. Through the African program dubbed ‘Africa Expect youth series’ we are preparing them to be the future of Africa and accomplish the 2063 target of African Union,” he noted.

Agenda 2063 is Africa's development blueprint to achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development over a 50-year period.

During the congress, over 500 participants are expected to deliberate on a number of issues as well as set the movement’s strategic plan for the next three years, organisers said.

"It is time to discuss strategic ways through which we can advance the values of Pan African Movement and how to make them relevant to the people of Rwanda and Africa,” Musoni said.

The congress, Musoni added, will also discuss different issues challenging the continent today including the Covid-19 pandemic, which has rattled economies and claimed lives as well as regional integration and security among others.

The congress, to be held under the theme "Reinvigorating African Unity and Solidarity for Sustainable Development”, will also review the achievements and how to better advance the unfinished business of the movement.

For the past three years, Musoni said, Covid-19 and financial constraints conspired to undermine the movement’s efforts to implement its activities.

Despite the challenges, he said that they managed to raise more awareness through different media programs as well as build the organisation’s structures.

Among these, he explained that they introduced PAM movements in all sectors and high schools, which he says will go a long way in raising children with a pan-Africanism oriented mindset for the future better of Africa.

PAM-Rwanda chapter has also started a campaign that seeks to facilitate the free mobility of African students on the continent.

Benny Ndaruhutse, the Youth Member Commission at PAM-Rwanda rallied fellow youths to join the movement and contribute to the prosperity of their continent.