The African Youth Water Forum (AYWF) has called for greater youth participation in water governance and decision-making across Africa, stressing the need to move young people beyond consultation and recognise them as active partners and leaders.
The Forum made the call as it joined young people, organisations and stakeholders across Africa and beyond to commemorate International Youth Day 2026 on August 12 under the global theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
As part of the commemoration, AYWF organised a continental virtual dialogue on the theme, “Youth Leading Water Governance Across Africa.”
The dialogue brought together young people, water professionals, researchers, advocates, students, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from different countries to discuss the role of youth in shaping Africa’s water future.
The Forum said young people across the continent share common aspirations, including access to quality education, meaningful participation, decent opportunities, dignity, sustainable development and a secure future, despite facing different social and economic realities.
According to AYWF, young people must be recognised not only as beneficiaries of development programmes but also as leaders, innovators, researchers and advocates for sustainable development.
It noted that young people are already contributing to addressing water challenges through community action, research, innovation, advocacy, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing.
However, the Forum said greater investment, inclusion and institutional support are needed to enable youth-led solutions to grow and influence policy and practice.
The dialogue focused on four key areas: youth and water governance; youth leadership and participation; research, innovation and knowledge management; and policy, advocacy and storytelling.
AYWF said the discussions highlighted the importance of creating spaces where young people can become meaningful contributors to water-related decision-making.
The speakers included Robert Strand, Founder and Director of the World Water Film Festival in the United States; Gauri Nimbalkar, a representative of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth in Malawi; Kekesi Defoe, Co-Convener of AYWF and Director of the Foundation for Environmental Watch, Ghana; and Angella Nakkungu, a student leader and World Bank Scholar at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands.
Their contributions, the Forum said, demonstrated the importance of linking youth leadership with research, innovation, advocacy, storytelling and governance to address Africa’s water challenges.
New AYWF Coordinating Council introduced
A key feature of the commemoration was the formal introduction of the new AYWF Coordinating Council.
The Council brings together young leaders and professionals with diverse skills and experiences to support the Forum’s continental activities and growing network of young people across Africa.
Its areas of work will include water governance, research and innovation, policy and advocacy, communication and media, partnerships and resource mobilisation, programmes, monitoring and evaluation, and regional coordination.
AYWF said the formation of the Council marks an important milestone in its development as a continental platform committed to strengthening youth leadership in Africa’s water sector.
The Forum subsequently called on governments, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector and water institutions to create more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making.
It said the call forms part of its broader commitment to building a connected continental platform where young people can collaborate, exchange knowledge, advocate for change and develop innovative solutions to Africa’s water challenges.
With its vision of “Water Security for All,” AYWF said it remains committed to empowering young people to contribute to a future where water is safe, sufficient, sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient for communities across Africa.
The Forum also encouraged young people to continue using their voices, knowledge, creativity and leadership to address water challenges in their communities and contribute to national, regional and continental solutions.
The African Youth Water Forum is a continental youth platform focused on strengthening youth leadership and participation in water governance and advancing water security across Africa.
It connects young people, youth-led organisations, professionals, researchers, policymakers and partners to exchange knowledge, promote innovation, advocate for change and collaborate towards a water-secure Africa.
