The AfCFTA
Young Entrepreneurs’ Federation (AfYEF) has declared 2026 as “The Year of
Building Systems and Structures That Last,” calling on Africa’s youth to
move decisively from ideas to execution in order to unlock jobs, skills, and
sustainable economic opportunities across the continent.
Addressing
young Africans in a New Year message, Mr. Hissan Siita Sofo, President
of AfYEF, noted that Africa’s greatest challenge is no longer a shortage of
ideas, but a persistent deficit of practical systems that translate ambition
into impact.
“Africa
does not lack ideas or ambition. What we lack are systems—systems that protect
real work, enable scale, and deliver lasting impact. 2026 must be the year we
move from slogans to structures, and from potential to performance,” he stated.
Five (5) years
after the commencement of structured trading under the African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA), AfYEF observes that youth participation remains
constrained by weak institutional linkages between policy and opportunity.
“Without
systems, youth potential remains trapped in promises. Jobs, skills, and
enterprise growth will not emerge from frameworks alone; they require
institutions that work on the ground,” Mr. Siita Sofo emphasized.
As host
country of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana was urged to continue leading by
example by building the institutional backbone that supports youth development,
skills formation, and job creation—not only nationally, but as a model for the
continent.
AfYEF also
acknowledged the leadership of the AfCFTA Secretariat under Secretary-General Wamkele
Mene, while stressing that the true measure of continental integration will
be reflected in tangible outcomes for young Africans.
Referencing
the 2026 State of the Nation Address, Mr. Siita Sofo recalled President John
Dramani Mahama’s call to action for young people to take ownership of the
reset agenda:
“This was
not a call to wait for opportunity. It was a call for young people to build it
themselves,” he said.
Transforming
Legacy into Opportunity
As part of
its 2026 execution agenda, AfYEF announced the advancement of presidential
legacy institutions as youth transformation platforms, implemented in
partnership with the Continental Legacy Development Company (CLDC).
These include:
- The John Dramani Mahama
Presidential Library & Legacy Centre (JDM–PLLC) in Northern Ghana - The John Agyekum Kufuor
Presidential Library & Legacy Centre (JAK–PLLC) in Southern Ghana
According
to AfYEF, these institutions are not symbolic monuments, but continental
prototypes designed to drive TVET, skills development, civic leadership,
innovation, and enterprise, aligned with Africa’s economic future.
“Africa’s
youth do not need more motivation; they need infrastructure. These platforms
are being designed to endure, to scale, and to serve communities long after
their launch,” Mr. Siita Sofo noted.
Call to
Action
AfYEF
called on governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil
society to collaborate in building systems that will deliver lasting impact for
current and future generations.
“The
agenda is set. The need is urgent. The power is in our hands. Let 2026 be the
year we lay foundations that last,” the statement concluded.
For
Media Enquiries:
📧
president@afyef.org
📞
+233 24 402 0280
Issued
by:
AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs’ Federation (AfYEF)
AfYEF Continental Secretariat
#SystemsThatLast
#AfricaYouthRising #AfCFTAExecution #BuildTheFuture
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