Young leaders from across Africa have called for greater investment in youth-led solutions, arguing that the continent’s future will depend on empowering young people to influence policy, create jobs and drive innovation rather than treating them as passive beneficiaries of development.
The message dominated discussions at the opening of the 2026 Billi Now Now (BNN) Youth Summit in Kampala today (Wednesday), where hundreds of young entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and development partners gathered to explore practical solutions to Africa’s development challenges.
Opening the three-day summit, Reach A Hand Africa Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Nabimanya said Africa’s greatest resource is not its vast natural wealth but the energy, creativity and resilience of its young population.
“Our future is not something we wait for; it is something we build,” Mr Nabimanya said, referring to this year’s theme, “Africa Recharged: Youth Power. Bold Voices. Real Change.”
He said despite making up the largest share of Africa’s population, many young people continue to be excluded from decisions that shape their future.
“For too long, young people have been invited into conversations after decisions have already been made. Too often, youth engagement has been symbolic instead of meaningful. Young people are not beneficiaries of development; they are the architects of Africa’s future,” he said.
Mr Nabimanya said the Billi Now Now Movement was founded to connect young Africans who are already solving problems through entrepreneurship, technology, community organising, advocacy and innovation.
According to him, the movement aims to strengthen collaboration among youth leaders while promoting locally driven solutions to challenges such as unemployment, poor access to education, climate change and limited economic opportunities.
The summit also marked the transition of Reach A Hand Uganda into Reach A Hand Africa, a move that expands the organisation’s work to Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Burundi.
Mr Nabimanya said the expansion reflects the reality that young Africans face similar challenges regardless of national borders.
“We are creating partnerships that allow young people to learn from one another and build solutions that respond to local realities across the continent,” he said.
He said that the summit was deliberately designed to move beyond speeches by encouraging participants to develop practical ideas that can be implemented within their communities.
“This is not another conference. We are here to build partnerships, influence policy and turn ideas into action. What starts as a conversation here should become lasting impact,” he said.
Mr Nabimanya added that the BNN Movement is entering a new phase following the exit of Planned Parenthood Global, creating an opportunity for African organisations to build a locally owned and sustainable youth movement.
Over the next three days, delegates will discuss six priority areas: health, education, climate action, entrepreneurship, creative and cultural industries, and responsible technology to produce practical solutions that can be adopted across the continent.
“We want every participant to leave with more than inspiration. We want them to leave with partnerships, mentors, opportunities and concrete commitments to improve their communities,” he said.
Hardy Ruremesha, Executive Director of Spring Communities in Burundi, said that African youth should view local challenges as opportunities to innovate rather than obstacles to progress.
He shared how his organisation transforms plastic waste into environmentally friendly products, creating jobs while tackling environmental degradation.
“We are not the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of today. When young people are trusted and supported, they create jobs, improve education, protect the environment and inspire hope,” Mr Ruremesha said.
He urged delegates to return home determined to turn their ideas into practical solutions capable of improving lives within their communities.
The summit is expected to produce youth-led action plans and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening young people’s participation in governance, entrepreneurship, climate action and technological innovation across Africa.
Kenyan youth leader Rasheed Mutaha said that Africa’s young people must remain adaptable and embrace emerging technologies to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.
“Our voices are here to create change. We are not simply participants; we are helping shape the next chapter of the BNN Movement,” Mr Mutaha said.
He described artificial intelligence and digital platforms as powerful tools for learning, innovation and civic participation, urging young people to use them responsibly to address community challenges.
Mr Mutaha cited consultations conducted in several African countries, which found that 85 percent of young people want greater access to resources and decision-making, while 84 percent believe technology and digital platforms are shaping their economic and social opportunities.
He said ideas generated during the summit would be developed into community projects, linked to funding opportunities and translated into policy recommendations.
About Bill Now Now
The Billi Now Now (BNN) Movement is a pan-African youth platform that connects young leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations to co-create solutions to Africa’s development challenges. The 2026 summit, held under the theme “Africa Recharged: Youth Power. Bold Voices. Real Change.