The African Youth Water Forum (AYWF) has called on governments and other stakeholders across Africa to give young people a meaningful role in decisions on water governance and sustainable development.

The Forum made the call during a continental virtual dialogue held on August 12, 2026, to commemorate International Youth Day under the global theme, ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.’

The dialogue organised under the focus ‘Youth Leading Water Governance Across Africa,’ brought together young people, water professionals, researchers, advocates, students, civil society organisations and other stakeholders from different countries.

In a statement dated August 13, 2026, the Forum said young people should no longer be viewed only as beneficiaries of development programmes but as key actors in addressing Africa’s water challenges.

“Young people must be recognised not only as beneficiaries of development programmes but as active partners, leaders, innovators, researchers and advocates in sustainable development,” the statement said.

It noted that young people across the continent were already contributing to solutions to water challenges through community action, research, innovation, advocacy, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing.

However, the AYWF stressed the need for stronger support to enable youth-led initiatives to have a greater impact.

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“Greater investment, inclusion and institutional support are needed to enable youth-led solutions to grow and influence policy and practice,” it said.

The dialogue focused on four key areas: youth and water governance; youth leadership and participation; research, innovation and knowledge management; and policy, advocacy and storytelling.

It said the discussions underscored the importance of creating opportunities for young people to move beyond consultation and become meaningful contributors to water-related decision-making.

Speakers included Robert Strand, Founder and Director of the World Water Film Festival in the United States; Gauri Nimbalkar, a representative of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth in Malawi; Kekesi Defoe, Co-Convener of the AYWF and Director of the Foundation for Environmental Watch, Ghana; and Angella Nakkungu, a student leader and World Bank Scholar at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands.

The event also saw the formal introduction of the new AYWF Coordinating Council, which comprises young leaders and professionals who will support the Forum’s continental activities in areas including water governance, research and innovation, policy and advocacy, communication, partnerships and regional coordination.

AYWF called on governments, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector and water institutions to create more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making.

It reaffirmed its vision of ‘Water Security for All’, saying it remained committed to empowering young people to contribute to a future where water is safe, sufficient, sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient for communities across Africa.

MRA/MA

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