African Futures Young Changemakers Initiative 2026: Call for Young Africans to Share Bold Ideas and Win Recognition at the African Futures Conference in South Africa

Applications are now open for the Young Changemakers Initiative 2026, an exciting continental competition that seeks to identify and celebrate Africa’s next generation of visionary leaders, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders, and storytellers. Organized by the African Futures & Innovation (AFI) Programme at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the initiative forms part of the African Futures Conference 2026, one of the continent’s leading platforms for foresight, innovation, and long-term strategic thinking.

This initiative provides a unique opportunity for young Africans to contribute their ideas on the future of the continent while gaining continental recognition for their creativity, leadership potential, and commitment to positive change. Successful participants will have the chance to present their ideas to policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, business leaders, and fellow innovators during the African Futures Conference scheduled for 13–14 October 2026.

About the Young Changemakers Initiative

Africa is experiencing rapid demographic growth, technological transformation, urbanization, climate challenges, and evolving governance systems. The Young Changemakers Initiative encourages young people to think beyond today’s challenges and envision the Africa they want to see in the coming decades.

The 2026 edition is built around the inspiring theme:

“The Choices That Will Shape Africa’s Future.”

Rather than focusing only on present-day issues, participants are encouraged to imagine Africa in 2050 and identify the decisions that governments, businesses, communities, and young people must make today to achieve that future.

The organizers believe that Africa’s future is not predetermined. Instead, it will be shaped by the collective choices made across sectors including governance, education, technology, economic transformation, peace and security, environmental sustainability, and social development.

Questions Participants Can Explore

Applicants may choose to answer one or more of the following guiding questions:

• What kind of Africa would you like to see by 2050?
• Which decisions today will determine whether that future becomes reality?
• What opportunities should Africa embrace?
• What risks should the continent avoid?
• How can governments, businesses, researchers, civil society, and communities contribute to a better future?
• What role should Africa’s young people play in shaping tomorrow’s continent?

Submission Formats

The competition welcomes different forms of creativity and communication. Participants may submit their ideas in one of the following formats:

Written Submission

• Maximum of 1,500 words
• PDF or Microsoft Word format

Video Submission

• Between 3 and 5 minutes
• MP4 format

Audio or Podcast Submission

• Between 3 and 5 minutes
• MP3 or equivalent format

This flexible approach allows participants to communicate their ideas using the format that best reflects their strengths and creativity.

Benefits of Participating

The Young Changemakers Initiative is more than a competition—it is an opportunity to gain continental visibility and become part of an influential network of future African leaders.

Successful participants will enjoy several benefits, including:

• Recognition as one of Africa’s emerging changemakers.
• Opportunity to showcase innovative ideas on a continental platform.
• Exposure to policymakers, researchers, academics, innovators, and development partners.
• Networking opportunities with experts in African development and foresight.
• Professional recognition that can strengthen future scholarship, fellowship, and career applications.
• Participation in conversations shaping Africa’s long-term development.

A panel of experts will select the Top 20 Young Changemakers 2026, recognizing participants whose submissions demonstrate originality, creativity, leadership potential, and futures-oriented thinking.

From these twenty outstanding young leaders, five finalists will receive the Young Changemakers Award and travel support to attend the African Futures Conference 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa, where they will have the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and decision-makers from across the continent.

How Entries Will Be Evaluated

Submissions will be assessed based on several criteria, including:

• Originality and creativity.
• Relevance to Africa’s future.
• Long-term and futures-oriented thinking.
• Leadership potential.
• Commitment to positive change.
• Potential impact.
• Quality of storytelling and presentation.
• Ability to inspire meaningful conversations about Africa’s future.

Important Dates

Applicants should note the following timeline:

• Submission Deadline: 26 July 2026
• Top 20 Young Changemakers Announced: 7 August 2026
• Top Five Finalists Announced: 19 August 2026
• African Futures Conference: 13–14 October 2026 (Hybrid format)

The conference will be held with Day One taking place in person at the CSIR Conference Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, with live streaming available, while Day Two will be conducted entirely online, enabling participation from across the continent.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should prepare the following before submitting their application:

• Title of the submission.
• Abstract (maximum 250 words).
• Short biography.
• Written, video, or audio submission.

Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal before the deadline.

Get more information about this opportunity on the official website

Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting entries is 26 July 2026 at 23:59.

Young Africans with bold ideas about the continent’s future are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of this unique opportunity to contribute to shaping Africa’s long-term development while gaining recognition on one of the continent’s premier futures platforms.

Discover more global competition opportunities on OFY here