Introduction
AfYEF is a league of African youth entrepreneurship groups and individuals that serves as a representative voice for young entrepreneurs on AfCFTA. It began as an informal group of a few African young entrepreneurs who identified the need to mobilize themselves for AfCFTA in late 2020.
As an apex body, AfYEF was formed with the primary objective of mobilizing and empowering African young entrepreneurs to actively participate in, contribute to and benefit from the AfCFTA agreement.
During the launch of AfYEF on 10th June, the occasion was graced by notable dignitaries including H.E Vincent Durruty (EU Delegation to African Union), H.E Mr. Tom Nørring (Denmark Ambassador to Ghana), H.E the High Commissioner, Ethiopian Embassy, H.E the High Commissioner, Zimbabwean Embassy, High Commissioner, Nigerian Embassy, Deputy Head of Mission- Namibia Embassy, Country Director-GIZ, Representative from Star Ghana Foundation, the A.G Secretary General- Pan African Youth Council-Ahmed Benin among others.
Progressively, during the launch of AfYEF on 10th June 2021, AfYEF had a combined membership of 20 groups with individual membership of about 200,000. However, as of 10th August 2021, the combined membership was 51, and individual members of over 10million from 22 different countries.
Noting this, it is not uncertain that, our target of reaching out and connecting 50million young entrepreneurs across the continent within one year period is achievable.
AfYEF already has members from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Burundi, USA, Chad, Rwanda, Mali, Estonia, The Gambia, and Zambia, etc. This implies that the youth and women of Africa are ready to participate and contribute to AfCfTA.
What We Do
Advocacy
AfYEF leads policy dialogue on youth entrepreneurship and private sector reforms and campaigns for the improvement of entrepreneurship climate for young people in Africa with a special focus on AfCFTA
Training/Capacity Building
One of our primary aims is to build the capacity of young entrepreneurs across the continent on AfCFTA. And so, with our already established captains of the industry, we provide business mentorship and coaching to young entrepreneurs via conferences, workshops, breakfast meetings, etc.
Funds/Investment Mobilisation
AfYEF researches and lobbies for business funding avenues such as crowdfunding, grants, debt funding, etc. for young entrepreneurs. We profile young entrepreneurs to aid them access and secure available funds from private and public
financial sources such as Angel Investors, Venture Capital, Equity Firms, and government sources.
Research
We conduct research on a wide range of issues that have an impact on the development of young enterprises as far as AfCFTA is concerned. Our research scope ranges from the effects of lending rates on business growth, cost of credit, to the costs of factors of production such as utility rates, property rates, land, labor, and constraints.
Other areas of interest in
our research works are on business climate, the impact of funding on small businesses, impediments to business setup, and competitive advantage of African young entrepreneurs, among others. The results are disseminated through publications and press releases to the media and directly to stakeholders in youth development within the continent.
Location of AfYEF Headquarters
The Headquarters of AfYEF is located in Accra, Tantra Hill. The Secretariat has staff currently manning the running of the Federation. However, there are plans in place to establish and launch the National Chapters of the Federation across the Fifty-four (54) African countries that have agreed to the AfCFTA agreement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, considering the underdevelopment in most African countries characterized by the high unemployment rate, poverty, and the widening inequality in the continent, it is prudent a youth-led organization emerges to champion the interest of the youth who are the majority of the African population. It is in this regard that, AfYEF was created so that the accompanying benefits of AfCFTA shall accrue to all and sundry. The leadership of AfYEF would be thrilled to discuss more on how your outfit can contribute to make this a reality.
Source: Ghana Web