Equity Group Foundation and UNICEF Sign Youth Empowerment Partnership at Africa CEO Forum 2026

Equity Group Foundation and UNICEF have signed a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding opportunities for young people across East and Central Africa through skills development, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

The agreement was signed during the Africa CEO Forum 2026, which took place on May 14–15 at the Kigali Convention Centre.

The Equity Group-UNICEF partnership will focus on accelerating “Transition to Work” pathways for young people in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with particular attention on adolescent girls and young women.

Under the collaboration, the two organizations plan to equip youth with market-relevant skills, mentorship, innovation capabilities, and access to opportunities in sectors including the green economy, digital economy, healthcare, and enterprise development.

Collaboration to Support Financial Inclusion and Innovation

The initiative builds on existing cooperation between the two institutions and combines Equity Group Foundation’s financial inclusion ecosystem and regional private-sector reach with UNICEF’s technical expertise and partnerships with governments and communities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi said empowering young people remains central to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

He noted that strategic partnerships play an important role in creating pathways for dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity for young people across the continent.

Etleva Kadilli said cross-sector partnerships are essential in expanding opportunities for Africa’s youth, particularly girls and young women. She added that investing in young people is important in building resilient communities, inclusive economies, and sustainable development outcomes across Africa.

Focus on Sustainable Development and MSME Growth

The MoU also creates opportunities for joint resource mobilization, innovation, and partnerships supporting inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, digital transformation, health systems strengthening, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) development.

According to the two organizations, the partnership is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to create scalable programs that connect young people to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The collaboration also positions Africa’s youth as active contributors to innovation, resilience, and economic growth rather than passive recipients of development initiatives.

The 13th edition of the Africa CEO Forum was co-hosted by International Finance Corporation and Jeune Afrique Media Group. The summit brought together more than 2,800 business leaders, investors, policymakers, and heads of state from over 77 countries.

The 2026 forum was held under the theme “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” focusing on strengthening cross-border investments, regional infrastructure projects, and harmonized legal and digital frameworks to support trade and economic integration across the continent.