At 15, as a high school student in Sierra Leone, I was called upon to lead, managing assemblies, organizing students, and overseeing class transitions by ringing the bell, among other responsibilities. Every morning, I stood before fellow students and teachers, guiding the school through its routines. This seemingly small responsibility as a prefect/head girl taught me about the importance of structure, accountability, and having a voice within a community. This was a time, my country, Sierra Leone, was on the edge of a brutal civil war that would last over a decade, where youth involvement in any form of governance became rare and almost unimaginable.

Despite the enormous impact of young people in Africa's liberation movements, decades later, youth-led governance in many countries remains limited, with policies typically shaped with little or no direct inputs from youth. This creates a dangerous paradox: we task young people with inheriting tomorrow's challenges while denying them a voice in today's solutions. In an era where young people represent both the largest demographic and the most digitally native generation, excluding them from governance means sacrificing our greatest source of innovation and economic potential. Not only is this a missed opportunity, but it is also a risk. And this can be seen across the continent, with young people organizing to demand more equitable opportunities and a greater say in their future.

In Kenya, nationwide protests against tax hikes and corruption highlighted youth frustration. This unrest prompted demands for more inclusive reforms. The government responded with a major cabinet reshuffle and announced policy changes. Similarly, the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria exposed broader issues of corruption and governance. This led to the Nigerian government disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and pledged various reforms, including a $70 million youth investment fund. In South Africa, the #FeesMustFall movement was driven by students protesting high tuition fees, poor university governance, and limited financial aid. It led to the halt of planned fee increases and pressured the government to boost education subsidies and expand financial aid for low-income students.

The solution requires genuine commitment: we must establish platforms that welcome youth perspectives, fund youth-driven projects, and ensure young voices shape policy at every level, from neighbourhoods to parliaments.

There are promising examples of youth inclusion that provide a way forward. Rwanda, where I have the honor to serve as the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, stands out. Youth representation in government is growing, with over 30,000 young people in local government councils across districts, sectors, cells as well as villages, all elected by the National Youth Council. Additionally, there are two youth serving as members of parliament and many others in key ministerial roles. Given such commendable representation, youth in Rwanda have championed policy changes in rescuing street children, supporting teen mothers, road traffic speed limits among others.

There are other approaches that are gaining traction globally. For example, youth shadow cabinets, like the one in Canada, allow young leaders to simulate government processes, while youth-led policy think tanks like UK Youth, enable young people to research and influence public policy on critical issues. There are also digital platforms, including the global #Youth4Climate initiative co-led by the Government of Italy and UNDP that aims to foster youth leadership on climate.

Youth empowerment also requires economic opportunity. This means investing in youth-led businesses and community initiatives, through coordinated efforts from government, private sector, and civil society to design supportive policies, enhance education, and build regulatory frameworks that foster youth entrepreneurship.

Reimagining employment models is also crucial, since over 80% of workers in most African countries are in the informal sector, covering gig work, small enterprises, and self-employment that typically lack the protections and stability of formal jobs. There is need to extend basic protections, improve financial inclusion, provide vocational training and upgrade the technical skills and capacity of youth-led businesses.

When young people have these opportunities they and their communities prosper. For instance, in South Africa, initiatives like the Youth Employment Service (YES) provide skills development and job placements, allowing youth to gain valuable work experience and contribute to local economies. In Ghana, the National Digital Transformation Agenda equips youth with digital skills, resulting in a surge of startups that contribute to local economic development.

Reflecting on my journey from a teenage student leader in Sierra Leone to my current role as UNDP Resident Representative, I see both how far we've come and how much remains to be done. At the just concluded 2024 YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Kigali, one could see the enormous potential in young people. If leaders don't create meaningful opportunities for youth participation, we risk losing not just individual potential, but also the innovative energy needed to transform our continent.

Young people are already leading, innovating, and demanding change across Africa. Those of us in positions of influence today must recognize that Africa's transformation depends not only on our willingness to make space for youth, but on our courage to share the space we have and the power with them.

Fatmata Lovetta Sesay is UNDP's Resident Representative in Rwanda. She is passionate about youth advancement, women’s economic empowerment, and designing sustainable policies that ensure inclusive development.