The Orange Youth Festival is a vibrant, multi-day celebration of African youth, culture, and innovation. It provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents, connect with leaders and innovators, and engage in meaningful discussions about Africa’s development. The festival also features The Africa We Want Symposium, a high-level policy dialogue that bridges youth creativity with decision-making.
The festival is organized by the Youth Arise Organization (YAO), a leading youth development movement that has empowered young Africans for over a decade through initiatives like the Leadership Diary Training Program (LDTP) and the Stepping Ahead Leadership Conference (SALC).
The Orange Youth Festival embodies the spirit of Innovating for Sovereignty: African Youth as Architects of Agenda 2063 -a call for young Africans to unite, innovate, and lead the transformation towards “The Africa We Want” in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Orange Youth Festival centers on empowering and celebrating young Africans through creativity, leadership, and collaboration. Its key focus areas include:
1. Youth Empowerment & Talent Showcase – Creating opportunities for young people to express their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit through performances, exhibitions, and competitions.
2. Innovation & Entrepreneurship – Highlighting youth-led startups, social enterprises, and technological innovations that address Africa’s pressing challenges.
3. Leadership & Policy Engagement – Bridging the gap between young leaders and policymakers through The Africa We Want Symposium, enabling youth-driven policy recommendations and dialogue on national and continental development.
4. Networking & Mentorship – Facilitating mentorship sessions, professional exchanges, and intergenerational dialogue between youth and experts from various sectors.
5. Cultural Exchange & Unity – Promoting African identity and solidarity through cultural showcases, traditional art, food, and performance.
6. Sustainability & Social Impact – Encouraging environmentally friendly practices and community engagement activities that drive positive change at the local and continental levels.
6. What is “The Africa We Want Symposium”?
The Symposium is the intellectual core of the Festival — a high-level, intergenerational dialogue where youth leaders, policymakers, and experts discuss Africa’s key challenges and opportunities. It produces actionable policy recommendations to influence youth development strategies across the continent.
7. Who can attend the Orange Youth Festival?
OYF is open to all young Africans including students, entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, and activists—alongside policymakers, educators, and partners passionate about youth development in Africa.
Artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs can apply to be part of the Talent Showcases, Expo, or Cultural Villages by indicating their interest during registration or through specific calls for submissions announced on our platforms
OYF offers diverse partnership and sponsorship opportunities for corporates, institutions, and development organizations seeking to support African youth development. You can fill out the Become a Partner form on the website or email our partnerships team at {admin@orangeyouthfestival.com}
Sponsors and partners enjoy brand visibility across digital and physical platforms, access to high-level networking opportunities, participation in the Africa We Want Symposium, and alignment with a continental movement driving youth innovation and leadership.
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For general information, contact the Secretariat via [info@orangeyouthfestival.com](mail to: info@orangeyouthfestival.com) or reach out through our social media handles.