CorpAfrica’s second All-Country Conference (ACC 2025) will be hosted by Kenya in June and is expected to attract over 1,000 young African changemakers to participate in the volunteerism, innovation, and grassroots conference organized by CorpsAfrica.
Africa is home to the world’s youngest population, with over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30. This conference provides a platform for young African changemakers to participate in volunteerism, innovation, and grassroots development.
“Our objective as an organization is to mobilize college-educated youth by providing a platform to make a difference in the regional communities through volunteerism and entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Patricia Kingori-Mugendi, Country Director, CorpsAfrica/Kenya.
Employing CorpsAfrica’s unique Human-Centred Design (HCD) and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches, youth volunteers are making an impact in local communities in education, public health, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship.
Speaking on CorpsAfrica’s impact model, Dr. Samora Otieno said, “Our programs are tailored to the community’s needs, and we seek solutions based on the assets available in the community.” He added that this gives the community ownership of the project.
Their commitment and ownership are seen by their investment of 25% or more in the projects. Before being assigned to local communities, CorpsAfrica Volunteers undergo two months of training and are engaged for 10 months, living and working in the communities.
“CorpsAfrica believed in me and allowed me to affect change in my local community,” said Chifundo Chibaka, a 4th cohort CorpsAfrica Volunteerism Programme alumnus from Malawi.
“Coming from a forested area, we were able to identify the potential of apiculture and initiate the project in the community,” he said.
The apiculture project created income opportunities for local youth while promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.
Speaking on the NGO’s broader climate adaptation and mitigation strategy, Dr. Kingori-Mugendi said, “When we send volunteers to the field, the goal is not to stop the community from cutting down trees to make charcoal, but to help them identify alternative economic opportunities from the trees which is sustainable.”
Stella Kidera, a CorpsAfrica Volunteerism Programme alumnus from the 2nd Kenyan cohort, speaking about her career progression as a volunteer with CorpsAfrica Kenya, said the organization gave her the platform to use her voice to bring change not only in her local community but internationally.
“Corps Africa is a space for youth to stay productively engaged while also making a lasting difference in their communities,” she said.
The Kenya School of Government has partnered with CorpsAfrica to host the 2025 ACC. Dr. Tom Wanyama, Principal Lecturer speaking on behalf of the Director General, called on stakeholders and partners to rally around youth empowerment at every opportunity.
“The need for change by young people across the continent demonstrates the determination of a well-educated generation eager to shape their future. As joint stakeholders in advancing youth leadership, innovation, and development, we must increase our mentorship, funding, and collaboration efforts in addressing these most pressing needs of young people across the continent,” said Dr. Wanyama.
A new generation of African leaders is stepping forward, not just to be heard but to act. The ACC 2025 offers an opportunity for African youth to step up, speak out, and shape the future they want to see by creating homegrown solutions to the climate crisis and development challenges.
