On Africa Day, we celebrate this dynamic and diverse continent and the contributions of Africans to our world. The continent’s young and growing population, its rich natural resources, its breath-taking beauty and cultural diversity give it outsize potential.

Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, along with Africa’s growing voice, including leadership in renewable energy, can help realize that potential.

But a bright future for Africa’s 1.2 billion people means addressing the challenges blocking Africa’s progress — from the effects of climate change to deadly conflicts and unconstitutional changes of government, to hunger, poverty, inequality and crushing debt burdens.

We need to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals. This will require, among other actions, that we reform the international financial architecture so developing countries can access the resources they will need to invest in the future of their people — including strengthening education systems, this year’s African Union theme.

We must work side by side with Africa to build green economies anchored in renewable energy, and ensure that the continent’s critical mineral resources benefit Africans first and foremost.

We must strengthen our collaboration to safeguard human rights, counter terrorism and violent extremism, and — finally — silence the guns across Africa. The UN Security Council’s recent resolution to support African-led peace operations is an important step.

Throughout, Africa must have a seat at every multilateral forum — including the UN Security Council, the international financial system, and other global norm-setting structures. September’s Summit of the Future in New York will be a moment to create momentum and progress.

On Africa Day, let’s renew our pledge to stand with all Africans in their quest to lead their continent — and our world — into a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

Read as the UN Secretary-General Message as pdf www.un.org

What better way to start honoring this occasion than by highlighting a few of MANY inspirational African women and young people; despite being young have made their voices heard and are making a difference for the next generation, we are in awe of these incredible young people and strong women!

1. Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi – are feminist leaders and entrepreneurs from Nigeria. In 2020 they came together to create the Feminist Coalition, which promotes women’s rights, safety, education, and economic and political participation to then women in Nigeria. With incredible projects from supporting the #EndSARS protests, and food drives for low-income women, to providing women annually with life-changing scholarships.

2. Meaza Ashenafi – She is the first-ever female Chief Justice of Ethiopia and is known for her legal advocacy, working with Ethiopian Women’s Lawyers Association, the organisation which she co-founded. Being the only female graduate from her class year and witnessing firsthand how the laws were discriminating against women, she has paved the way forward for the next generation of women! She is an inspiration. Not to mention the fact that she also co-founded Enat Bank, the first bank in Ethiopia to be founded by women shareholders… talk about girl power!

3. Vee Kativhu – She is a Zimbabwean empowerment YouTuber and girls education advocate, as well as the founder of Empowered by Vee. Which is an academic empowerment platform that works to ensure that everyone knows there is a place for them in education- no matter their background, skin colour, or gender. With a quarter of a million, youtube subscribers; Vee is helping spread equality through education.

4. Tanya Muzinda –  She is a young female motocross rider from Zimbabwe. She started racing at just five years old and was the first female to have won a motocross championship in Zimbabwe since it began in 1957. She is proving to young people across the world that gender should never stop you from achieving your goals and going against gender norms. She said “Most people think that you can’t do it because it is only a sport for boys and I am a girl, but I want to show them that you can do anything,”

5. Angelina Makore – She is a young leader from Zimbabwe who is campaigning for health and the well-being of women and girls. When she was just 14 years old, she nearly became a victim of child marriage, and since then she has become an activist against the practice. She has since become the founder of the organisation Spark R.E.A.D an NGO and has rescued victims of child marriage and sexual abuse. She is making a huge impact on the lives of women in Zimbabwe!

To find out about all the amazing ways that you can get involved head over to our donations page here: https://creatingbetterfutures.org.uk/give/donations

Author: Creating Better Futures