Focusing on the youth empowerment aspect of The AASU–Weldios Symposium hosted by Epik Leaders in Rabat, the key message was that African students are not just beneficiaries of development but are the primary architects of the continent's agricultural and trade future.
The collaboration between the All Africa Students Union (AASU), Weldios University, and Epik Leaders was deliberately framed as a mechanism to channel the energy and innovation of the youth into the strategic areas defined by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Core Pillars of Youth Empowerment
The symposium highlighted three main ways the youth are being empowered through this strategic collaboration:
Bridging the Academic-Economic Divide: The partnership ensures that academic output is relevant to the private sector's needs.
Dr. Ugo Magnus Kel, of Weldios University, stressed that the goal is to produce job creators, not just job seekers, by aligning research and curriculum with economic realities, particularly in the agricultural value chain.
Leadership and Advocacy: The AASU, as the voice of African students, is placed at the center of the dialogue, ensuring their priorities are reflected in continental policy.
Mr. Osisiogu Osikenyi Enyinnaya, President of AASU, passionately stated: "African youth are the engine of the AfCFTA... We ensure that students are not just beneficiaries, but the architects of Africa's agricultural and trade transformation." This puts the responsibility and the tools for change directly into students' hands.
Recognizing Young Excellence: By awarding the AASU Medal of Honor to young and dynamic leaders like Dr. Nizar Chaari (Founder of Epik Leaders) and other impactful business and academic figures, the symposium set a powerful precedent. This recognition serves to inspire and validate the efforts of the next generation of African entrepreneurs and policymakers.
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Practical Outcomes for Youth
The event emphasized moving beyond dialogue to tangible action, focusing on how the trilateral partnership (Academia, Civil Society/Youth, Private Sector) can lead to:
Mentorship and Incubation: Providing pathways for young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in AgriTech to connect with established business leaders (Epik Leaders and Esthington Group).
Skills Development: Ensuring that Weldios University's programs develop the specific skills needed to support the AfCFTA, such as supply chain management, digital trade, and sustainable farming techniques.
The symposium's ultimate youth empowerment message is that by treating the youth as active partners in the continent's economic strategy, Africa can successfully unlock its immense potential.