The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development during the contract signing ceremony for the Africa-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) Project held at Kitisuru Gardens in Nairobi, on May 8, 2026.
The event marked the formal commencement of a partnership between The Youth Cafe Ltd and Expertise France under the auspices of the European Union. The initiative aims to strengthen youth spaces and empower youth-led organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa through strategic funding and capacity-building programmes.
In his speech read by Secretary for Youth Development Dr. Josephine Etenyi, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, hailed the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening youth participation across Africa and Europe.
โThe Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports remains fully committed to supporting platforms such as Youth Cafรฉ that empower young people through innovation, leadership, creativity, and meaningful participation in national development,โ said.Fikirini.
He emphasized the importance of creating inclusive environments that enable young people to unlock their potential and actively participate in economic and national transformation efforts.
The ceremony focused on AEYA Project Lot 2 covering Central Africa and Lot 3 covering East and Southern Africa. According to the organizers, the programme will provide โฌ621,000 in sub-grants to youth-led organizations in 11 target countries, including Kenya. The funding is expected to support initiatives promoting resilience, green jobs, and digital futures for young people.The initiative equally aims to enhance the role of young people as active contributors to sustainable development and social transformation.
The event, hosted at The Youth Cafe offices in Kitisuru Gardens, brought together representatives from European Union delegations, the Embassy of France, the Embassy of Italy, government officials, and stakeholders in the youth and creative economy sectors.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Hon. Salim Mvurya, was represented in the signing ceremony by the Secretary for Youth Development Dr. Josephine Etenyi and the National Coordinator for NYOTA Project Mr. Augustine Mayabi.
The Africa-Europe Youth Academy initiative is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and provide a platform for young leaders to engage in policy dialogue, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent.
