PHOTOS: YANGG empowers over 300 at youth summit in The Gambia
In a historic gathering that underscored the power of youths in driving continental transformation, the Young African Network for Global Goals (YANGG), under the dynamic leadership of its Global President, Kelechi Ndieze, successfully concluded the African Youth Summit 2025 in The Gambia. The event, themed “Africa Rising: Youth Driving Global Transformation”, brought together over 300 young leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across Africa for three days of intensive training, recognition, and networking.
Kelechi Ndieze, a visionary young leader and the driving force behind YANGG, set the tone for the summit with a powerful opening address. He emphasized the critical role of young people in shaping Africa’s future, stating, “Africa’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the leaders of today. This summit is a call to action for us to rise, innovate, and transform our communities and the world.” His words resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom described the summit as a life-changing experience.
The AYS 2025 featured a series of capacity-building workshops and masterclasses designed to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Topics ranged from entrepreneurship and digital innovation to sustainable development and leadership. Facilitators included industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and policymakers who shared practical insights and tools for success.
Ndieze, who actively participated in several sessions, emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the tools to lead. “Leadership is not just about holding positions; it’s about creating impact. Our goal is to ensure that every young person here leaves with the skills and confidence to make a difference,” he said.
A participant, Amina Jallow, a young entrepreneur in The Gambia, shared her experience to newsmen stating, “The training sessions were life-changing. I learned how to scale my business and leverage technology to reach new markets. This summit has given me the confidence to dream bigger.”
A highlight of the summit was the YANGG Awards, which recognized outstanding young Africans who are making significant contributions to their communities and industries.
The awards ceremony, presided over by Ndieze, celebrated the achievements of young trailblazers like Basiru Jaye, a Program Officer at the National Youth Council, Gambia who has consistently demonstrated leadership and a passion for empowering the youths in The Gambia. In his remarks, he said, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone for me, it is a celebration of the collective spirit, resilience, and passion that unites youths of Africa. It reminds me that every achievement is made possible by the endless support of my country, the guidance of my mentors, and the indomitable courage of every young innovator who dares to dream.”
Ndieze also honoured Lord Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, the first elected female Mayor of Banjul City with an Award of Excellence for her commitment to women and youth empowerment, sustainable development and innovative leadership. Mayor Lowe said, “We will continue to drive meaningful change and uplift the voices of women and young Africans, ensuring that our collective vision for progress and unity is realized.”
Additionally, Mary Badjie was appointed the Vice President of YANGG in The Gambia. In her remark, she said, “I am honoured to be a servant to not only Gambian Youths and Africa but to my generation entirely. It is a pleasure to represent my continent Africa and be part of the amplifying voices of rising leaders.
Furthermore, Saibo Junior, the Communications Officer of YANGG-Gambia was recognized as an Ambassador for YANGG Africa said, “This recognition is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue amplifying the voices of young people in The Gambia and across the continent. I look forward to leveraging this platform to drive meaningful impact and contribute to youth empowerment at a broader scale.
The summit also provided a unique platform for networking, fostering collaborations that could shape the future of the continent. Participants engaged in mentorship sessions, panel discussions, and roundtable dialogues with leaders from various sectors.
Ndieze played a pivotal role in facilitating these connections, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration. “When we come together as a collective force, there is no limit to what we can achieve. This summit is just the beginning of a movement that will redefine Africa’s place in the world,” he said.
The summit concluded with a powerful call to action, urging participants to take the lessons learned back to their communities and drive tangible change. Ndieze challenged attendees to “be the change you wish to see” and to leverage the networks and skills gained during the summit to create a ripple effect across the continent.
Below are photos from the event:
Story by Isaac Chibuife
