Visualize five days in Nairobi- “the Capital of Africa”. On top of that, imagine being surrounded by over 1000+ youth from over 11 African countries across the continent, collaborating, engaging in cultural exchange, and sharing transformative ideas. Now think of the incredible panelists, inspiring speakers, and thought leaders unpacking the most head scratching discussions and conversations. Then again, imagine busking in music, spontaneous dance circles and all the fun games, just generally youth turning up!
I had the greatest honor of attending the CorpsAfrica All-Country conference from 16-20th June at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi. This was under the theme; Leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming their Continent. Over 1000 participants including policy makers, development partners, Youth delegates from Machakos University , CorpsAfrica staff, volunteers, and alumni. All these were from the eleven countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Africa, Cote D’ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, and Morocco), and The United States. We were also joined by some government officials from the Kenya Senate like Honorable Geoffrey Kiringa Rûkû and Honorable Fikirini Jacobs.
The conference involved panel sessions from CorpsAfrica staff, development partners, entrepreneurs and even CorpsAfrica Volunteers with discussions stretching from youth volunteerism as a pathway to leadership. The discussions also explored how national policies can better recognize and support volunteerism. Moreover, there were deep reflections on using Human-Centered Design and ABCD to shift development power to local communities. There was a call for funding and sustainability of youth-led projects sparking passionate dialogue, especially around African-based philanthropy. Most importantly, there was focus on how volunteerism bridges the gap between purpose, skills, and opportunity.
I had the greatest honor of my life, as speaker for one of the sessions with an excellent mentor, Moses T. Cofie on Leading with impact. I shared experiences and knowledge from my personal growth to community change with my peers.
Moreover throughout the week, the conference showcased amazing products of beautiful African prints. These included shoes, clothes and accessories. We also had booths for career and professional development, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and alumni support. I visited some of these booths and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I took home with me some accessories for souvenirs and a book.
Why does this all matter though?
Because our role as youth is not just symbolic but essential, as Patricia Mugendi (Country Director, CorpsAfrica/Kenya) brilliantly stated it. Therefore, engaging youth that are actively participating in the transformation of their continent not only highlighted their valuable contributions. It also sparked a contagious energy, inspiring the rest of Africa to rise along, grounded in the Ubuntu spirit of “I am because you are.” The future of Africa isn’t in waiting it’s being shaped now, by the hands, minds, and hearts of young people who believe in something greater than themselves. With that shared belief, collective action is unstoppable.
Several volunteer stories moved me deeply, because of how similar our experiences were. They made me feel seen and not alone in this. The panel sessions challenged me to think beyond the project level, to see systems, sustainability, and how youth can influence national development strategies. Collaboration across countries and sectors is not just possible. It is necessary for scaling youth-led solutions and securing long-term impact.
Dare I forget the day we got to go around the city of Nairobi just to explore on our own and take it all in. Yes, I had cotton candy for the first time in my life—I know! I cannot explain how it grounded me, and made me feel like a child again, experiencing new things and the old.
This conference reignited something powerful in me, a bold sense of responsibility. We, the youth, are here now. My call is simple. Don’t wait to be called a leader. Be one! Let’s take what we’ve learned and ground them in our communities with intention, challenge broken systems, co-create new ones, and keep amplifying the voices often left out. If each of us returns home and sparks just one ripple of change, imagine the tide we could raise across this continent.
Being part of this Pan-African family, sharing stories and laughter, and realizing that our struggles and dreams echo across countries, reminded me: I’m not alone, and neither are you. To CorpsAfrica, we see the effort, we see the dedication to empower African youth, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. We are because you believe in us. To Liz Fanning the CEO of CorpsAfrica, thank you for planting a seed that is now growing across the continent. Your vision gave us roots, and now we are becoming the forest. Here’s to more change sparked from compassion, more youth who rise not for applause but for purpose and to Africa, led by those who love her the loudest.
We Are Because You Are: Youth, Ubuntu and the Future of Africa
Reflections by Angella Tumusiime (Exchange Volunteer- CorpsAfrica/Rwanda, Volunteer- CorpsAfrica/Uganda)
