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More than 1,000 youth from across Africa gathered at the Kenya School of Government this week for the CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference 2025.
The five-day summit, themed Leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming the Continent, has spotlighted Kenya as a hub for youth-driven volunteerism while opening new pathways for African youth to contribute meaningfully to national development initiatives.
In a significant development for Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, announced the government’s commitment to fast-track the review of Kenya’s National Volunteer Policy guidelines.
“We recognize that young people aren’t waiting they’re building,” Mvurya declared during the conference opening. “CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead.”
The policy review aims to create broader recognition and reward systems for volunteerism as a driver of civic engagement and social capital in Kenya, potentially transforming how youth service is valued in the country’s development framework.
The conference comes at a critical time for Kenyan youth, with unemployment rates exceeding 38% among young people.
“We must reframe volunteerism not as unpaid work, but as transformative leadership and professional development that accelerates public service for the 21st century,” emphasized Dr. Patricia King’ori-Mugendi, CorpsAfrica’s Country Director for Kenya.
The organization’s approach provides young Kenyans with practical experience, leadership skills and professional certificates that enhance their career prospects while contributing to community development.
Since 2021, CorpsAfrica volunteers have spearheaded over 10,500 social and economic activities and 425 small-scale community projects, improving the lives of nearly 2 million people across Africa.
The conference also featured inspiring examples of Kenyan innovation, including exchange volunteers working in local communities.
Magombe Muzamiru, a CorpsAfrica Exchange Volunteer from Uganda currently serving in Meru County, showcased how volunteers are establishing sustainable enterprises like sunflower oil extraction facilities and affordable soap production, creating economic opportunities for communities.
Participants at the conference attended robust professional development workshops covering journalism, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, human-centered design, human resources and career mapping.
“These aren’t just projects; they’re transformative platforms for human-centered design and asset-based community development,” explained Dr. Samora Otieno, CorpsAfrica’s Chief of Programs.
Upon completion of their volunteer service, participants receive professional certificates and join the CorpsAfrica Alumni network, creating long-term career advancement opportunities.
Founded in 2011, CorpsAfrica now operates in 11 African countries, with Kenya serving as a key hub for the organization’s pan-African expansion.
The demand for CorpsAfrica opportunities is intense, with 20,000 applicants competing for just 400 volunteer slots across the continent in 2024.
CorpsAfrica Founder and CEO Liz Fanning emphasized the organization’s commitment to viewing Africa’s large youth population as an asset rather than a crisis. “We stand firm in our belief that they are the solution. Our vision is to cultivate a generation of African leaders – rooted in community and committed to sparking sustainable change from the grassroots up.”
As the conference continues through June 20, 2025, it serves as a catalyst for expanding opportunities for Kenyan youth in community development, social entrepreneurship, and civic leadership.
The gathering brings together participants from Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Morocco, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa, The Gambia, and Côte d’Ivoire, creating networking opportunities that extend far beyond Kenya’s borders.
“Africa’s youth have spoken with unmistakable clarity,” noted Cabinet Secretary Mvurya. “They want jobs – not handouts; platforms – not patronage; and action – not promises.”
