In the rural community of Musanze in Rwanda, social entrepreneur Adrien Manishimwe runs a growing ICT and financial enterprise- MTC Limited. The business is serving over 10,000 people. The enterprise came from his desire to address challenges that locals faced in accessing reliable internet and financial services. MTC Limited is now providing local communities with reliable internet access at low-cost 4G connectivity and digital financial services. Similarly, the business supports youth employment and skills training in ICT, digital marketing and entrepreneurship. It also provides affordable electronic devices and accessories to the locals. Adrien served with CorpsAfrica/Rwanda and was a participant in the Alumni incubator program for young entrepreneurs.
This year, 2025, the theme of International Youth Day (IYD), “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” highlights the unique role that youth, such as CorpsAfrica Alumnus Adrien, play in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities.As a Pan-African movement, CorpsAfrica is at the forefront of empowering youth to drive desired change in local communities. The population of 60% aged below 25 makes Africa the youngest continent in the world, in relation to its population makeup. However, investments targeting youth remain limited and lack strategic, evidence-based approaches to tackle their diverse challenges and aspirations effectively. As we celebrate their leadership, innovation and agency, we must also break the barriers that continue to hold them back, particularly for young women and rural youth. By tapping into their potential, CorpsAfrica recognises that youth are key drivers of social change.
Muliisa Pneuma rightly asserts that youth engagement is about tapping into the incredible potential of young people.
“I believe it is crucial to give youth a platform to share their ideas, showcase their talents and take the lead in shaping their communities and the continent. When we empower our youth, we unleash a wave of energy, creativity and passion that can truly transform the world.” Muliisa Pneuma, Exchange Volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Ethiopia.
For Mildred Adeaba, a Volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Ghana, Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond is about active participation and not simply wishing for change.
Angella Tumusiime adds that CorpsAfrica is doing a tremendous job among African youth. “It is giving us purpose and opportunity to explore our potential, practice our skills while giving back to our communities and making a lasting impact.”
Serving as a Volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Uganda and an Exchange Volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Rwanda, Angella states that CorpsAfrica is shaping the youth to lead, allowing them to learn, unlearn and relearn. “Youth are using this empowerment to localize SDGs by working with local communities to start with small projects such as kitchen gardens, microeconomic businesses, culturally aligned projects that are community-led and sustainable.”
Mildred underscores the importance of Asset Based Community Development (ABDC) as a key approach in localising actions for SDGs. Having been equipped with knowledge and skills to apply the ABCD approach, Mildred was keen to tap into the available resources of the Efutu Kokoado community in the Central Region of Ghana, where she serves as a Volunteer. Mildred facilitated community meetups and conversations on key development challenges. The poor road network was highlighted as a key challenge that affected the farming community in transporting their produce to markets, causing tremendous post-harvest losses.
Mildred worked with the local community of 42 households (135 people) to come up with a solution of purchasing a tricycle to facilitate their movements to the markets. Pulling from the available assets, including their produce, the local community mobilised savings to purchase a tricycle. Community members are now able to transport their produce to markets on time. Moreover, on rainy days, the community uses the tricycle to transport young children to school. Similarly, the tricycle is used to transport expectant mothers to the health centre. The transport business is bringing income to the community and fostering cohesion. The initiative is a testament to the potential that youth have to drive local development.
Emily Matinde’s farming community in Meru County in Eastern Kenya had a different challenge. Inasmuch as they were hard-working farmers, they had limited access to financial services to boost their trade. Through leadership and entrepreneurship training, Emily facilitated the local community members to form a Community Based Organisation. By pulling resources together, including savings, ideas and labour, members created a capital fund. This fund provides them with capital to invest in their farms and other businesses. They also created an events management business to diversify their income. Formed in February 2025 with 50 members, the Antwanno Umoja CBO has grown to 101 members. The CBO has become a great community resource and a testament of local youth actions for SDGs.
Like Mildred’s community got a local solution to their transport challenges and Emily’s to their limited access to financial services, the Musanze locals now boast of better access to the internet and digital financial services. Through his business, MTC Limited, Adrien has created employment for 4 youth, supported 107 business registrations under the RDB, and equipped 65 youth and 88 women with digital skills.
“Youth are not only recipients of development but are equal partners in innovations and setting up local solutions for development. Youth engagement is about meaningfully involving young people in decision-making processes and initiatives that directly affect their lives, communities and futures. It is about empowering the youth to take on leadership roles, contribute ideas and implement the solutions.” Martin Twesigye, CorpsAfrica Alumn.
“As a young person, I feel that many youths don’t have the platform or mentorship to ably contribute to the SDGs. CorpsAfrica gave me a platform to facilitate community meetings and conversations, to bring the global goals to my local community. In Africa, we can have so many resources we can use to build our communities and drive locally owned development.” Emily Matinde served as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer with CorpsAfrica/Kenya and continues to implement local youth actions for SDGs with CorpsAfrica/Senegal.
Moses Cofie, Regional Director of CorpsAfrica adds that youth can get educated by learning about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets, volunteering to participate in local initiatives, organizations, or events that align with the SDGs as well as being advocates by sharing information, raising awareness, and mobilizing others to take action on the SDGs. Similarly, youth have the opportunity to develop creative solutions, products, or services that contribute to achieving the SDGs while collaborating and partnering with other actors, including governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, to amplify impact. Furthermore, youth can engage in activities that directly contribute to achieving the SDGs, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, or promoting sustainable practices. Moreover, by engaging governments and institutions to prioritize the SDGs and holding them accountable for progress, youth not only develop their leadership skills but also contribute to creating positive change and achieving the SDGs
CorpsAfrica is therefore intentional in showcasing youth stories and solutions to reflect their experiences in implementing SDGs at the local community level. From agriculture to education, computer literacy, digital solutions, access to finance, water and sanitation, and among many other initiatives, CorpsAfrica is strategically positioning youth as key development actors. By investing in youth capacity development, supporting youth and community-led initiatives, empowering youth to advocate for their perspectives in policy solutions and local development processes, CorpsAfrica is uniquely positioning youth to actively participate in localising SDGs and beyond.