Addis Ababa: Ministers from Gambia, Burundi, and Mali commended the fast transformation they have witnessed in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. The Pan African Youth Leadership Summit was held here from 3-5 April 2025, under the theme: "Unlocking the Power of Youth for a Prosperous Africa." The summit aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among young leaders across the continent, focusing on sustainable development, peace, and economic empowerment.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, on the sidelines of the summit, the ministers who participated visited various ongoing development projects in the city, including the newly inaugurated Addis International Convention Center (AICC). Gambia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Badjie, reflected on a previous trip to Addis Ababa in 2014, noting significant transformations in the city. He emphasized the impressive Addis International Convention Center as a prime example of the benefits of public-private partnerships and the potential it holds for collaborative development efforts.
Burundi's Minister of East African Community Affairs, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Gervais Abayeho, also expressed enthusiasm, particularly after touring the Convention Center. He highlighted the infrastructure's size and facilities, which can accommodate thousands of visitors and conference attendees. Abayeho mentioned the potential for youth from other nations to learn from Ethiopia's experience, emphasizing the unprecedented commitment to engaging young people.
Mali's Minister of Youth, Sports, and Citizenship, Abdoul Kassim, shared his perspective on the rapid development in Addis Ababa. He underscored the importance of youth involvement in national development, given the demographic's majority. Kassim highlighted the various innovations across sectors contributing to national progress, which serve as valuable lessons for Mali's youth engagement goals.
The ministers' visit underscores the importance of cross-national dialogue and collaboration in fostering youth engagement and development across the continent.