The African Youth Water Forum (AYWF) joined young people, organizations, and stakeholders across Africa and beyond on August 12, 2026, to commemorate International Youth Day with a strong call for meaningful youth leadership in water governance.

The Forum organized a continental virtual dialogue under the focus: “Youth Leading Water Governance Across Africa.” The event aligned with the global International Youth Day 2026 theme, _“Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

The dialogue brought together young people, water professionals, researchers, advocates, students, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders from different countries to reflect on the role of youth in shaping Africa’s water future.

Speaking during the session, AYWF emphasized that young people must be recognized not only as beneficiaries of development programmes but as active partners, leaders, innovators, researchers, and advocates in sustainable development.

“Young people across Africa are already contributing solutions to water challenges through community action, research, innovation, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and knowledge sharing,” the Forum noted. “However, greater investment, inclusion, and institutional support are needed to enable youth-led solutions to grow and influence policy and practice.”

The event provided an opportunity to recognize the diverse realities facing young people while highlighting common aspirations that unite them, including access to quality education, meaningful participation, decent opportunities, dignity, sustainable development, and a secure future.

The Forum stressed that young people must have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities, particularly in areas such as water governance, climate resilience, WASH, environmental sustainability, and development planning.

The International Youth Day dialogue forms part of AYWF’s 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.

AYWF 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.

About the African Youth Water Forum
AYWF connects young people, youth leaders, innovators, researchers, and advocates in sustainable development with partners to exchange knowledge, promote innovation, advocate for change, and collaborate toward a water-secure Africa.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region