Programmes
- Home
- AfCFTA Clubs
AfCFTA Clubs Overview
AfCFTA Clubs and Youth Engagement Initiatives
The Africa Future Economic Leaders (AFEL) programme has established AfCFTA Clubs within national youth service programs across the continent to foster youth engagement in African trade and economic development. These clubs serve as hubs for education, advocacy, and action related to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Objectives of AfCFTA Clubs:
- Increase youth awareness and understanding of AfCFTA
- Develop young leaders with expertise in African trade and economics
- Facilitate youth participation in AfCFTA implementation processes
- Create a network of young AfCFTA advocates across the continent
Club Structure:
- Established in universities and national youth service programs
- Led by elected student officers with guidance from faculty advisors
- Regular meetings, workshops, and activities focused on AfCFTA topics
- Collaboration with local businesses, government agencies, and NGOs
focus areas
How We Drive Youth Engagement in AfCFTA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua reprehenderit in voluptate.
Youth Participation in Trade Processes
AfCFTA Clubs emphasize active youth involvement in trade-related activities:
- Policy Analysis: Members review and discuss AfCFTA policies, providing youth perspectives to policymakers
- Trade Simulations: Clubs organize mock trade negotiations and market simulations
- Entrepreneurship Incubators: Supporting youth-led businesses that can benefit from intra-African trade
- Research Projects: Conducting studies on local economic impacts of AfCFTA
Community Engagement Strategies
Clubs work to bridge the gap between AfCFTA policies and local communities:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Organizing events to educate the general public about AfCFTA benefits
- School Outreach: Club members visit secondary schools to introduce AfCFTA concepts
- Local Business Partnerships: Collaborating with SMEs to explore AfCFTA opportunities
- Media Engagement: Writing articles, producing podcasts, and creating social media content on AfCFTA topics
Youth Engagement Activities
Our Youth Engagement Activities is designed to create a cascading impact, reaching far beyond the immediate participants.
AfCFTA Youth Summit
Annual gathering of AfCFTA Club members from across the continent:
- Keynote speeches from African trade experts and policymakers
- Workshops on trade policy, entrepreneurship, and digital economy
- Networking sessions for young leaders
- Pitch competitions for innovative AfCFTA-related projects
Digital Trade Skills Bootcamps
Intensive training programs to equip youth with skills for the digital trade era:
- E-commerce platform development
- Digital marketing for cross-border trade
- Blockchain applications in trade finance
- Data analytics for market research
Women in Trade Mentorship Program
Connecting young women with established female leaders in African trade:
- One-on-one mentoring sessions
- Webinars on gender equality in trade policies
- Shadowing opportunities with women entrepreneurs
- Scholarships for women pursuing trade-related studies
AfCFTA Innovation Challenge
Continent-wide competition for youth-led solutions to AfCFTA implementation challenges:
- Categories: logistics, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing
- Cash prizes and incubation support for winning ideas
- Showcase of top innovations to AfCFTA policymakers
Grassroots Economic Advocacy Training
Empowering youth to become effective advocates for economic development:
- Workshops on policy analysis and communication
- Training on organizing community forums
- Guidance on engaging with local and national policymakers
- Development of youth-led policy briefs on AfCFTA implementation
Cross-Border Youth Trade Fairs
Facilitating practical trade experiences for young entrepreneurs:
- Virtual and physical marketplaces for youth-owned businesses
- Workshops on cross-border trade regulations and procedures
- Networking events with potential partners and investors
- Showcasing success stories of youth benefiting from AfCFTA
GET INVOLVED
Join an AfCFTA Club
Join an AfCFTA Club today and be part of shaping Africa’s economic future! Together, we can harness the power of youth to drive sustainable development and prosperity across our continent.
