LocationsThe global equalizer in New York and beyond
Over 4,000 youth leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from 37 countries converged for #YouthConnekt Africa, held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Photo: UNDP/Mellon Ncube
There is a particular energy in New York during September. The air hums with anticipation, as if the towering skyline itself is in conversation with the diplomats, world leaders, activists and changemakers. Last year, I had the privilege of experiencing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time, a moment that will forever be etched in my journey as a young African leader.
My time as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) African Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) Fellow has been nothing short of transformative. This journey has offered me a unique vantage point to witness and contribute to global efforts in development, while also reflecting deeply on my role as a young African leader. From the electrifying UNGA in New York to the vibrant energy of the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Rwanda, these experiences have shaped my understanding of leadership, collaboration, and the critical importance of youth in driving change.
Mellon Ncube, a African Young Women Leaders Fellow at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Photo: UNDP/Mellon Ncube
UNGA 79
New York during UNGA is unlike any other place. Diplomats glided through the streets in bespoke suits, while powerful women of global leadership, from Heads of State to activists, paraded in their tailored elegance, wearing everything from Boubous to Habesha Kemis and Kangas. The city itself felt like a parade, with helicopters overhead announcing the arrival of the world's most influential leaders.
During UNGA, I had the incredible privilege of engaging with some of the world’s most influential leaders and changemakers. Among them were Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Ajay Banga of the World Bank and Bill Gates. I also exchanged insights with businessman Steve Forbes, Prime Minister of Eswatini Russell Dlamini, former UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Attending the plenaries, side events and bilateral meetings, I realized how much the world has evolved, but also how persistent inequalities remain. Climate change, gender equity, financial inclusion, digital transformation. These were not just buzzwords, but central themes woven into every conversation. Yet, what stood out most was the palpable sense of urgency. The world is grappling with overlapping crises, from climate change to economic inequalities and the calls for actionable solutions were louder than New York City itself. One of the significant strategies adopted by world leaders at UNGA 79 was the Pact for the Future, which includes transformative initiatives like the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. This comprehensive blueprint not only addresses immediate crises but also lays out a long-term vision designed to equip the world for the unknown challenges ahead.
The UNGA opened my eyes to the intricate dance of diplomacy, dialogue, and decision-making on the global stage. Echoes of conversations at the headquarters lingered in the air. Media houses buzzed with enthusiasm, eager to capture this new Pact for the Future. The conversations that filled conference rooms spilled into the streets, where the youth, with their unbridled zeal, gathered carrying the weight of future aspirations on their shoulders.
What I love most about UNGA, and the Summit of the Future is how they serve as a global equalizer. In these spaces age, background, and nationality take a backseat to a shared purpose. Individuals from all walks of life came together as equals, united by the same goal: building a future that includes everyone’s voice. However, one can only hope that this spirit of equal representation extends beyond participation to the decision-making on critical matters, especially those shaping the future. It was inspiring to witness youth like me, and my fellow fellows play an active role, not just as bystanders but as leaders and advocates for change. UNGA reinforced the notion that youth leadership is not just the future, it is now.
The 7th edition of #YouthConnekt Africa, held in Kigali, Rwanda, was guided by the theme: “Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling”.
Photo: UNDP/Mellon Ncube
The Rise of Africa’s Youth at #YouthConnekt2024
As the sun set on #UNGA, brimming with global commitments for future generations, the world’s attention turned to Kigali in Rwanda, the country affectionately known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Over 4,000 youth leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from 37 countries converged for the 7th edition of #YouthConnekt Africa, guided by the theme: “Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling”. This gathering was not just a conference; it was a movement: a rallying cry for Africa’s youth to take the reins in crafting the continent's future.
The air in Kigali buzzed with purpose, as dialogues unfolded on critical issues: youth employability, innovative skills development, boosting “Made in Africa” production, the activation of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) and its potential as a game-changer for cross-border trade and economic empowerment. Ministers poured in, accompanied by their youthful delegations, each step inflated with pride. Curiosity danced across their faces as they took their seats, momentarily stepping back to watch as President Paul Kagame and UNDP Africa Director Ahunna Eziakonwa took to the stage. It was a moment of profound energy, a testament to the undeniable strength and promise of Africa’s young generation shaping the future.
One particularly inspiring moment was witnessing the launch of initiatives aimed at addressing unemployment through skills development and entrepreneurship. We saw the Gen Z of the Sahel region rising. We saw Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone regions coming together, taking over the stage and showcasing their innovative solutions through their startups at the HangaPitchFest. We saw partnerships flourishing between Western and Eastern Africa, catalysed by initiatives like the AU-EU Timbuktoo and Egumeni Hub, a push for a skilled and empowered Africa.
YouthConnekt was hope in action. As I watched the exchange of ideas and energy between the delegates, I realized that Africa’s hope lies within the voice of the youth. We are the youngest and fastest growing population, representing over 60 percent of the continent’s people. Young Africans are calling for action on climate change, expanded economic opportunity, responsive governance, and recognition of mental health challenges.
Africa's hope looks like classrooms filled with eager learners, where young girls and boys alike have equal opportunities to dream and thrive, where a child is allowed the chance to be just a child, not a soldier, not a breadwinner, and not a survivor of circumstances. It is the growth of tech hubs and accelerator labs, where groundbreaking solutions are crafted by young minds solving Africa's most pressing challenges. It is the bold policies championed by leaders committed to sustainable development, equity and unity. Africa’s hope is its people, deeply connected to their roots. It is their voices, rising above obstacles, paving a path for generations to come, and proving that Africa’s future is not just imagined but built, day by day.
Ahunna left the audience with a message of hope and empowerment, encapsulated in the "4 Cs" - character, confidence, competence, and courage - cementing that “Africans do not want handouts anymore, we want handshakes”.
The most recent UN General Assembly reinforced the notion that youth leadership is not just the future, it is now.
Photo: UNDP/Mellon Ncube
Looking forward: Beyond UNGA, the Summit and YouthConnekt
As the final gavels fell, marking the conclusion of UNGA, Summit of the future and YouthConnekt, I walked away with more than just insights and strategies. I left with a sense of responsibility. The discussions during the Summit of the Future highlighted the need for sustained youth engagement in decision-making processes. We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of today. I saw firsthand how young leaders, particularly women from Africa, are not asking for permission to innovate, collaborate and lead; they are doing it anyways.
The road ahead is filled with challenges, but also immense possibilities. There is no longer room for myopic policies as temporary fixes. This is a call for all of us to continue advocating for the Sustainable Development Goals. UNGA painted the picture, the Summit of the Future offered a roadmap, and YouthConnekt put ideas into action. It is up to all of us to build the vehicle that will drive sustainable, inclusive growth for the next generations.
As an AfYWL Fellow, I am radiating with zest knowing that I am a part of a collective that will shape the future not only of Africa but of the world. New York’s energy is infectious, Rwanda’ ambiance is filled with hope, but the work continues long after the city lights dim.