Five years later, our mission remains the same: ensuring young people are not just beneficiaries of the AfCFTA, but active architects of its implementation. Our Chairperson, @Emolot_AD, reflects on why @ICOYACA was founded, the journey from youth advocacy to influencing continental policy and why meaningful youth participation must remain at the heart of Africa’s trade agenda. This is our story. This is our purpose.

Wish to know what the #AfCFTAYouthDay is all about? And why the 9th of November? Listen to this word from our Chairperson @Emolot_AD about this big day. Be sure to book your seat today! bit.ly/AfCFTAYouthDay @AfCFTA @sebaprunce @MeneWamkele

@ICOYACA_Kenya @ICOYACA

Ready to grow your agribusiness? Calling youth in Malawi, Burkina Faso, Mali & Mozambique! 🌍 Join 18 practical virtual learning modules + an in-country networking meet-up. Register by 10 Oct: forms.gle/r7BMR9TL5jDFA8mEA #GenerationAfrica @AGRA_Africa @opportunitiesfy @ICOYACA

A lot of youth are interested in agriculture. They’re just not interested in the primary level, and that is because, as Africa, we have not yet adopted modern forms of farming. When you think about agriculture, it’s normally a hoe or, at best, driving a tractor. But as @AGRA_Africa, through @GenAfrica_, we have been working to change that narrative by showing young people that agriculture is much bigger than production. - Henry Lagat @Henrealy, Team Lead Generation Africa.

The AfCFTA that we have been privileged to champion for the last five years is a special opportunity for Africa, particularly for young people. It gives us an opportunity to break down borders, expand markets and create meaningful opportunities for young Africans to trade across the continent. - Emolot Allan David @Emolot_AD, Chairperson AfCFTA Youth AdvisoryCouncil.

Day 3 of the YouLead Summit 2026 was about Youth in Business under the theme; Facilitating Cross Boarder Trade. Together with @AGRA_Africa, @GenAfrica_ and @ICOYACA we explored how young entrepreneurs can better access regional markets, navigate trade barriers and turn Africa’s integration agenda into real opportunities for youth-led businesses.

A proud moment for youth in African trade. 🌍 At the closing of the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, @CNN International Correspondent @LarryMadowo introduced ICOYACA Chairperson Emolot Allan David to share two important pieces of work developed to strengthen the voice, visibility and participation of young people in Africa’s trade landscape. The Youth in Trade Charter, developed through ICOYACA’s partnership with @AGRA_Africa, sets out the priorities and aspirations of young people for more meaningful participation in intra-African trade. Alongside the Charter, we presented Across Borders, Beyond Barriers: Success Stories of Africa’s Young Traders, a collection of stories showcasing young Africans who are already navigating markets, overcoming barriers and trading across borders. Having these initiatives presented on the closing stage of the Africa Food Systems Forum was an important opportunity to bring the experiences and priorities of young African traders into a continental conversation. 📖 Read the Youth in Trade Charter: icoyacaafrica.org/portfolio/… 📘 Read Across Borders, Beyond Barriers: young people's priorities and aspirations The work continues to ensure that young Africans are not only beneficiaries of continental trade, but active participants in shaping how it works. @AfCFTA @AUYouthProgram @_AfricanUnion @TheAGRF

Africa is not asking for favourable ratings, Africa is asking for fair ratings. On 7 October 2026 in Mauritius, the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) will be officially launched. Ahead of the launch, @APRMorg will convene the 2nd Annual African Conference on Credit Ratings.

We successfully concluded our AfCFTA Export Readiness Bootcamp, and we heard your calls for a dedicated session on the African Trade Observatory (ATO)! Today, we are bringing you exactly that. Join us for a practical session exploring how to navigate the ATO, access African trade data and identify market opportunities. 🗓️ Today, 17 September 2026 ⏰ 10:00 CAT | 11:00 EAT | 08:00 GMT 🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: us06web.zoom.us/j/8780583977… Everyone is welcome. Feel free to join us! @OneYoungAfrica @MSTCDC @AUYouthProgram @AfCFTA

The Burundi Consultations on the link between Youth, Peace & Security and Climate Change will be held on 23 Sept 2026. At CINU Bujumbura, young people will share their experiences, challenges and ideas on how they can build peaceful, resilient and climate-responsive communities.

🌍 A look back at Day 1 of the AfCFTA Export Readiness Virtual Bootcamp! Yesterday, participants were introduced to trading in goods and services under the AfCFTA, laying the foundation for the practical sessions ahead. Today, Day 2 turns to digital tools for business growth. Participants will learn how to use social media effectively, build a website and leverage AI to support and grow their businesses. Join the session here: 🔗 us06web.zoom.us/j/8646271639… See you online! #AfCFTA #ExportReadiness #DigitalTrade #ArtificialIntelligence #YouthInTrade #ICOYACA

Five years later, our mission remains the same: ensuring young people are not just beneficiaries of the @AfCFTA, but active architects of its implementation. I reflected on why @ICOYACA was founded, the journey from youth advocacy to influencing continental policy and why meaningful youth participation must remain at the heart of Africa’s trade agenda. This is our story. This is our purpose. @_AfricanUnion @AUYouthProgram @OneYoungAfrica @MSTCDC @IvanAtuyambe @EmolotFdn @ydacafrica

What does it take to transform African agriculture beyond production? In this conversation with @AmanyaStuartJr our chairperson @Emolot_AD shares why harnessing the #AfCFTA is critical to reducing food waste, expanding market access, and creating meaningful opportunities for Africa’s young people across the agricultural value chain.

Last week, ICOYACA was in Kigali 🇷🇼 for the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026. 🌍 It was a big week for our work on youth and trade. Together with @AGRA_Africa , we brought young traders, trade associations, policymakers and partners together to talk about what cross-border trade actually looks like for young Africans and what needs to change. We also launched two projects we have spent months working on: the Youth in Trade Charter and Across Borders, Beyond Barriers: Success Stories of Africa’s Young Traders. 📖 There is much more from Kigali that we want to share, so over the next few days we will be taking you inside both launches and sharing the work with you. @TheAGRF

The #AUEUYouthActionLab Entrepreneurship Grants: €31,500 for youth-led orgs building start-up skills, growing enterprises & advocating for thriving entrepreneur spaces. 👉🏾 aueuyouth.com/entrepreneursh… Deadline: 23 Sept 13:00 CAT (check local time) #AUEUYouthLab #CallforProposals

Five years later, our mission remains the same: ensuring young people are not just beneficiaries of the AfCFTA, but active architects of its implementation. Our Chairperson, @Emolot_AD, reflects on why @ICOYACA was founded, the journey from youth advocacy to influencing continental policy and why meaningful youth participation must remain at the heart of Africa’s trade agenda. This is our story. This is our purpose.

The deadline is TODAY. If you’re a young leader from the EAC with a passion for leadership, civic engagement, regional integration and driving change, this is your final opportunity to join the EAC Youth Fellowship. Apply now via: portal.youlead.africa Tag a friend who shouldn’t miss this opportunity.