WCC NEWS: African youth called to rise and transform the continent

As the 2nd All Africa Youth Congress (AAYC) convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from 31 October to 5 November, over 500 young leaders from across the continent and the diaspora gathered under the theme “Africa: My Home, My Future.” The congress, organized by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), sought to inspire a new generation of Africans to take ownership of their continent’s destiny through faith, innovation, and collective action. All Africa Youth Congress 2025, opening ceremony. Photo: Joglo Studio 06 November 2025 Amid the vibrant discussions and powerful calls to action, Peter Ndi, a youth representative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and member of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, shared his reflections on the event, the role of young people in Africa’s transformation, and his hopes for the future of the church and the continent.   How did the congress begin, and what message did the opening convey? Ndi: In his welcoming address, Brian Muyunga, AACC executive youth secretary, warmly acknowledged the presence of delegates from all regions of Africa. He emphasized that the gathering was about more than dialogue; it was about inheriting the legacy of the continent’s forefathers and reimagining it for today’s generation.   How did participants respond to the opening session? Ndi: The atmosphere was vibrant and hopeful. The opening ceremony concluded with a joyful surprise as delegates from various countries presented gifts to the AACC president, the general secretary, and the youth executive secretary, with heartfelt expressions of gratitude, setting a tone of unity and shared purpose for the days ahead.   What were the main highlights from the keynote address by Rev. Dr Fidon Mwombeki, AACC general secretary? Ndi: Rev. Dr Mwombeki reflected on the founding vision of the AAYC as a key youth engagement platform of the AACC. He underscored that Africa’s young people are the continent’s greatest asset and essential drivers of change. Drawing inspiration from leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Thomas Sankara, and Ibrahim Traoré, he reminded delegates that these figures began their leadership journeys in youth, often under challenging conditions. “We cannot say we cannot do as they did, or even better,” he urged, calling on participants to embrace transformation and build Africa with faith, courage, and responsibility.   What is your takeaway from the congress? Ndi: This congress reminded us that we are living in a divine moment of opportunity. When the vision and energy of Africa’s youth are guided by faith, transformation becomes inevitable. We are called to model, to challenge, to coach, and to collaborate, to rise up, fill our gap, take our place, and make our impact felt. Photo gallery See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland