Pan-African Youth Organization Celebrates Two Decades of Empowering Young Africans
The Pan-African youth organization, gold-youth, is commemorating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of empowering young leaders across the continent to break the cycle of poverty and drive sustainable change.
Operating in countries including South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and the DRC, gold-youth aims to expand its reach to more African nations by 2032.
Since its inception, gold-youth has empowered over 127,000 young Africans, equipping them to become leaders, social innovators, and entrepreneurs. With a focus on transforming the lives of youth, the organization has facilitated remarkable outcomes, including the training of 90,000 peer educators and an additional 35,000 peers trained through this mentorship model. Since 2015, gold-youth has directly facilitated 4,000 jobs and micro-businesses through its various programs.
“gold-youth gave me the tools and confidence to take ownership of my life,” said Candice, a gold-youth graduate. “They showed me that I have value and worth, empowering me to start my own business and become an independent, self-assured young woman.”
The organization’s Youth Impact Indicators for 2018-2023 show significant improvements, including a 29% increase in school performance and a 93% pass rate compared to the national average of 73%. Additional statistics reveal a 43% increase in positive character development, a 49% increase in employability, and a 47% increase in leadership and community upliftment.
“At gold-youth, we believe that Africa’s future rests in the hands of its youth,” said Susannah Farr, founder and CEO of gold-youth. “Through our model, we transform passive recipients of societal challenges into proactive change-makers, equipped to take control of their futures.”
gold-youth adopts a practical approach by embedding peer mentors into schools and communities, instilling essential skills in leadership, education, and micro-entrepreneurship. This model encourages self-sufficiency and creates pathways toward economic independence for thousands of young Africans.
“Our secret sauce lies in our strong partnerships,” added Farr. “Through strategic collaborations, we ensure our programs align with national development goals in the countries we serve.”
Looking ahead, gold-youth is committed to developing 10 million young African leaders by 2032, empowering them to drive sustainable, community-led change. “The next 20 years will be even more impactful,” Farr stated. “We will refine and expand our model to ensure that the most underserved communities across Africa have access to the tools and mentorship necessary for leadership and innovation.”
As the organization celebrates two decades of youth-led change, it invites stakeholders across Africa and the global diaspora to support its mission. To learn more about gold-youth’s initiatives, volunteer, or partner with the organization, visit their website and help unlock the potential of Africa’s youth for lasting, sustainable change.
