Child Online Africa’s flagship initiative, the Africa Digital Leaders (ADL) Programme, has once again put African youth on the global stage.
The programme was recognized as a finalist for the 2024-2025 Excellence Actions for Global Youth Development, earning Child Online Africa a proud spotlight at the prestigious 2025 World Youth Development Forum (WYDF) and the Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development, held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, from July 13 to 20, 2025.
As part of this recognition, one of ADL’s outstanding Youth Leaders was nominated to represent the programme at the global forum, which brought together 500 delegates including youth affairs ministers, youth leaders, and international organizations from over 100 countries and 17 global bodies. Centered on the theme “Unleash Youth Potential for Global Development,” the forum served as a platform to spotlight youth-led initiatives shaping the future.
During the Acceleration Week, ADL was assigned to Cluster 2: Future-Oriented Digital Technologies, where youth leaders exchanged ideas on harnessing technology for development. Each delegate presented their projects, engaged in mentorship sessions, and connected with peers from across 60 countries. The experience offered a valuable platform for ADL to amplify Africa’s perspective on digital leadership and innovation.
Beyond the thematic discussions, ADL’s delegate participated in high-level sessions on Artificial Intelligence, Science & Technology Innovation, as well as cultural and networking events that celebrated the rich diversity of youth leadership worldwide. Visits to institutions such as the GCL Energy Pavilion also exposed participants to innovations in renewable energy and sustainability.
The forum concluded with three key global outcomes:
- The International Youth Advocacy on Unleash Youth Potential for Global Development
- The 100 Excellence Actions of the Action Plan for Global Youth Development 2025
- The Acceleration Week for Global Youth Development
Speaking on the achievement, Child Online Africa emphasized that this milestone not only highlights the impact of the ADL Programme but also reinforces Africa’s role in shaping digital futures. By engaging youth in global conversations, ADL continues to champion safe, inclusive, and empowering digital participation for African youth.
The journey ended with the Global Development Youth Pioneers Exchange Camp in Changsha, where participants explored collaborative opportunities to advance youth-driven solutions for sustainable development.
The recognition of ADL at such a prestigious global platform cements Child Online Africa’s commitment to amplifying youth voices, bridging digital gaps, and building responsible digital leaders for Africa and beyond.
Author: Desire Sakitey
