About the Project

African Youth Panel

The African Youth Panel (AYP) is a four-year initiative in partnership with TrustAfrica and the Mastercard Foundation.

It equips youth, especially those on the margins, with research tools, leadership skills, and platforms to drive change in their communities. AYP brings together young people from 10 African countries to use participatory action research and community mobilisation to address barriers to dignified living and work

These countries include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe and are supported by anchor institutions in each country.

Empowering Africa's Next Generation

Empowering Africa's Next Generation

The African Youth Panel (AYP) is all about giving young people the tools, space, and confidence to shape their own futures. Central to this initiative is the Participatory Action Research (PAR) — where young people step into their communities, listen, learn, and uncover the real barriers to dignified and fulfilling work.

Through this process, panelists don’t just collect data and share insight; they turn lived experiences into knowledge and solutions.Their findings feed into our knowledge hub, a space that captures youth-led research, sparks fresh ideas, and empowers the next generation simply by existing. We’re especially focused on reaching young people who are too often left behind — like young women who are not in employment, education, or training, and others at the margins of opportunity.

By amplifying their voices and insights, AYP is helping create more secure, sustainable futures across Africa. The initiative equips youth with skills they’ll carry forward long after the program — from community mobilization and leadership to safeguarding, advocacy, and Indigenous research methods.

AYP is not just a project. It’s a movement led by young Africans, for young Africans, building the future of work on their own terms.

Reimagining Work for Africa’s Youth

Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), our youth panellists are uncovering the barriers that hold young people back and coming up with practical, real-world solutions. They’re turning local experiences into bold ideas that can grow and make a difference across communities.

Insights generated will directly shape program design, strategic planning, and policy recommendations across sectors, influencing partners and other institutional programs.

The insights they collect will be used to shape new programs, guide strategies, and influence policies that matter to young people’s lives. By putting young people at the center, AYP is giving them the power to design solutions, challenge systems, and lead change — starting in their own communities and spreading far beyond.

Reimagining Work for Africa’s Youth
Why It Matters

Why It Matters

Africa, with its significant youth population, is a beacon of hope for the future. This potential, however, is currently overshadowed by a high rate of youth unemployment (International Labour Organisation (ILO), 2024). Despite the implementation of various policies and programs, many young Africans struggle to transition from youth to adulthood successfully.

According to ILO (2024), about three out of four young people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to secure employment. Among those who are employed, three out of four hold jobs that do not match their qualifications. Through training, the AYP initiative empowers young people with Participatory Action Research tools, enabling them to deeply engage within their communities and uncover the factors that shape their access to dignified living and work.

Youth Shaping Their Future, Driving Change

The African Youth Panel (AYP) is a participatory action research initiative, enabled by a partnership between TrustAfrica and the Mastercard Foundation.

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