The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) have deepened their partnership to advance women’s leadership and youth empowerment across Africa.
The renewed collaboration was solidified during a high-level working session held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to align their strategic and operational frameworks, identify priority areas of action, and agree on measurable outcomes that support Africa’s development blueprint under Agenda 2063.
Advancing Women’s Leadership Across Africa
At the heart of the partnership is the recognition that women are central to Africa’s economic transformation. Through joint programming, policy advocacy, and technical support to Member States, OAFLAD and AUDA-NEPAD aim to:
- Strengthen women’s participation in decision-making at community, national, and continental levels.
- Expand access to quality education and skills training for girls and young women.
- Promote women’s entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and access to markets.
- Support gender-responsive policies in health, agriculture, climate resilience, and digital innovation.
For women in Kenya and across Africa, this collaboration translates into greater opportunities to lead, innovate, and participate fully in economic life. In Kenya, where women play a vital role in agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and community leadership, enhanced access to financing, digital tools, and capacity-building programs can help scale women-led businesses and increase household incomes. Support for gender-responsive agricultural value chains and climate-smart initiatives will also empower rural women farmers, who form the backbone of food security.
Investing in Youth and Intergenerational Leadership
With Africa’s population being predominantly young, the partnership also prioritizes youth empowerment,particularly for young women and adolescent girls. Joint initiatives are expected to focus on:
- Skills development aligned with emerging industries and the digital economy.
- Mentorship and leadership programs linking experienced women leaders with young changemakers.
- Sexual and reproductive health advocacy to ensure young women can pursue education and career opportunities.
- Innovation hubs and entrepreneurship platforms to support youth-led enterprises.
In Kenya and other African countries, young women stand to benefit from expanded training in STEM fields, improved access to startup capital, and stronger mentorship networks that connect them to continental platforms.
A Shared Vision for Inclusive Growth
The collaboration between OAFLAD and AUDA-NEPAD underscores a shared commitment to inclusive growth, gender equality, and long-term socio-economic transformation. By aligning policy advocacy with technical implementation support, the partnership bridges high-level political leadership with practical, community-level impact.
For Kenya and the broader continent, this initiative represents more than institutional cooperation,it signals a deliberate investment in women and youth as architects of Africa’s future.
Through strengthened leadership, expanded economic opportunities, and supportive policy frameworks, women across Africa will be better positioned to contribute meaningfully to national development and continental prosperity.
About the Author
