African leaders urged to harness youth potential for development

The 2026 edition of the National Emerging Leaders Economic Forum (NELEF) has been launched with a call on African leaders to actively involve young people in both the design and implementation of policies.

The initiative seeks to empower Africa’s youth and promote innovation and creativity as tools for addressing the continent’s pressing challenges.

It also aims to equip young people with the skills and platforms needed to contribute to sustainable development across the region.

Speaking at the launch on August 22, 2026, Daniel Asomani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VODEC Africa and initiator of NELEF, urged African leaders to harness the knowledge, skills and energy of young people in shaping and implementing development policies.

He described NELEF 2026 as a platform focused on youth empowerment and delivering transformational and impactful results.

Asomani called for results-oriented leadership that would empower young people socially and economically to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of their countries.

“NELEF is not anti-government. It is pro-results. It is not anti-politics. It is pro-accountability. It is not anti-establishment. It is pro-renewal,” he said.

He added that while leadership and experience deserved respect, institutions should remain open to reform and authority should not become the permanent preserve of a particular generation.

The forum will also provide a platform for young and emerging entrepreneurs to compete for recognition and support as they seek to scale their businesses.

Selected enterprises will participate in a capacity-building workshop to strengthen their skills in business development, strategy and pitching.

The participating businesses operate across sectors including agriculture, agritech, manufacturing, technology and personal care, with each seeking to address various national and global challenges.