From Local Change to Global Impact: How East Africa’s Youth Are Building the Future

“We are changing the world with technology” – Bill Gates

Every year on July 15, the world marks World Youth Skills Day, a day set aside to celebrate the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

This year’s theme, Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills, resonates deeply with the work of Asante Africa Foundation. Recognizing that digital literacy is essential for 21st century job seekers and entrepreneurs, we incorporate digital skills and career readiness into all our programs.

These initiatives aren’t just theoretical—they are practical, inclusive, and transformative. We see the results in the young people of East Africa who are using these skills to shape their communities and drive change from the ground up.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Asante Africa Foundation pioneered several initiatives aimed at equipping the youth with skills they need to succeed in today’s digital world. Our flagship Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), an initiative that offers comprehensive training that evolves through various stages – from employability and enterprise development, to hands-on projects and business simulations – preparing youth for both careers and entrepreneurship.

A component of that program is the Leadership and Entrepreneurship Incubator (LEI), which cultivates practical leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Participants engage in business planning, financial literacy, public speaking, and community mobilization. Over the past few years, more than 4,000 young people across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have participated, many going on to implement community-led solutions to local challenges.

Take Yvonne, from Kenya. After completing the YLP, she launched her own boutique, applying the entrepreneurial and digital skills she gained. Later, she sharpened her expertise through our Digital Enterprise and Employability Program (DEEP), learning how to scale her business and increase her impact.

In Uganda, Laura’s journey took her from limited exposure to technology to becoming a UI/UX designer at a fintech company. Guided by Asante Africa and armed with newfound confidence, she is now thriving professionally and giving back to her community.

In Tanzania, Muhammed used his new digital skillsprovided by Asante Africa Foundation to improve both his academic performance and his school’s operations. Now inspired to pursue a future in information technology, Muhammed is paying it forward by establishing digital learning clubs in neighboring schools to help peers embrace technology too.

Dancan, another graduate, learned to operate digital devices, market products online, and manage his finances more effectively. Today, he uses social media and mobile platforms to market his small business, lifting his income and quality of life.

From Local Solutions to Global Impact

The power of digital education lies not just in individual outcomes, but in how it scales outward. 

• In Uganda, peer educators trained by Asante Africa Foundation use tablets to deliver lessons in remote areas. 
• In Tanzania, farmers leverage mobile apps to increase crop yields and profits. 
• Across East Africa, young entrepreneurs are breaking geographic barriers with mobile banking and digital business platforms.

One youth at a time, Asante Africa is making technology accessible and actionable. Students are building smart agriculture tools, AI-powered public health solutions, and more—designed by and for their own communities.

The Ripple Effect of Leadership

What really sets Asante Africa Foundation apart is the multiplying effect of our programs. Graduates mentor others, launch new businesses, lead local projects, and even influence community policies.

• • Yvonne’s boutique uplifts her family and inspires her neighbors.
  • Laura’s skills advance financial innovation while empowering other young women.
  • Muhammed’s tech clubs bring digital literacy to entire schools.
  • Dancan’s entrepreneurial success motivates others to follow his lead.

 These young people are not waiting for opportunities; they are creating them, and encouraging others to do the same.

Building an Inclusive Digital Future

By 2030, over 650 million African workers will need digital skills, according to the World Economic Forum, and 40–65 percent of all services on the continent will be delivered digitally. Asante Africa Foundation is preparing youth for that future today—especially those in rural areas who often miss out on traditional education pathways.

As we mark World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate the incredible potential of young leaders equipped with the right skills. When youth have access to digital tools and leadership opportunities, they don’t just transform their own lives—they transform entire communities.

WRITTEN BY: Halisatu Aziz