A light bulb for youth-led businesses in intra-African trade
The Afrikan Youth Business Council is the apex continental youth-led private sector body and voice for young entrepreneurs and youth-led businesses.
AfYBC
Our Vision
A leading youth-led continental private sector umbrella organization that uplifts young entrepreneurs and their businesses, advocates for a youth-friendly economic and trade policy regime, promotes fair trade, fair competition, and connectivity for young African entrepreneurs to meaningfully participate in national and intra-African trade
Youth-Led Entrepreneurship
Promote a popular front for youth-led entrepreneurship that results in commercially meaningful national and intra-African trade activity as a pathway to job creation (for youth) through a platform for networking, cooperation, learning and exchange of experiences.
Advocacy for Youth-Friendly Business Policies
Foster an inclusive, youth-friendly business policy and practice environment that addresses common barriers to successful youth-led entrepreneurship such as inadequate financing, market hegemony, burdensome tax, and policy and regulatory regimes.
Business Development Services
To establish our organization as the leading partner in youth-focused business development by providing tailored solutions that empower young entrepreneurs to attract investment and promote sustainable growth.
Recognised by:
Our Initiatives
Enterprise Development Webinar Series
The initiative empowers young African entrepreneurs with knowledge and networking to succeed in the AfCFTA market, providing guidance and access to resources to help them grow their businesses and contribute to the continent’s economic development.
Tech Transformation Initiative
The Tech Transformation Initiative is a 3-month program designed to help members of the AfYBC transform their businesses through the adoption of technology. The program provides members with the necessary knowledge and tools to leverage technology to improve their business processes, increase efficiency, and drive growth.
Sustainable Futures Initiative
The Sustainable Futures Initiative is a 2-month online program for Afrikan Youth Business Council members that equips young entrepreneurs with tools to adopt sustainable practices and integrate ESG principles into their businesses.
Sign up
Become a Member
Individual membership
Join an active intra-African community.
+
WhatsApp Community
+
Regular Industry Updates
+
Business Opportunities
+
Paid Membership
For entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs under the age of 40
+
Voting Rights
+
Contribute to Policies
+
Events & Networking
+
Discounted Training
Corporate Membership
Targeted at SMEs and companies led by youth under the age of 40
+
VIP Speaking Slots
+
Access to Policymakers
+
Event Marketing
+
Voting Rights
Want to be part of the Council? Click here
Managing Team
Adam Alqali
President
Nandi Mkwanazi
Program Director
Moses Kanyesigye
Strategic Advisor
Gugulethu Siso
Youth Engagement Officer
Tshepo Magoma
Strategic Planning Officer
Nkenen Brendaline
M & E Advisor
3 Most Frequently Asked Questions
What do your members look like?
Youth-led businesses (startups, SMEs, and growth-stage entities) across Africa, aged 18-39, operating in diverse industries with a focus on high-growth sectors under AfCFTA. They are aligned with AfYBC’s mission of youth advocacy, fair trade, and enterprise mobility; actively engaged in capacity-building, advocacy, and networking; committed to leveraging AfCFTA opportunities and contributing to its success.
Download for Free
What benefits do I get for joining AfYBC?
AWS credits, consulting services, directory access, secretarial roles (for paid members), website exposure, and opportunities for advertising and lobbying.
Explore All Templates
How do I qualify for programs?
Active AfYBC members in good standing, leading businesses in sectors benefiting from technology adoption (e.g., e-commerce, fintech, agribusiness), and committed to completing the 2-month program and applying its insights for business transformation.
Customize Visuals
Founders
Adam Alqali
Founder
Adam Alqali is a journalist, mediapreneur cum founder of the Pan African digital newsmagazine, African Newspage. In January 2024, he was appointed as the President of the Afrikan Youth Business Council (AfYBC), the leading youth-led continental private sector entity advocating youth-friendly economic and trade policies in the AfCFTA era. In August 2024, he was appointed by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat as a member of the Taskforce Committee to organize the 2024 AfCFTA Youth Symposium to be held in Nairobi, Kenya.
Leah Nduati
Founder
An entrepreneurship specialist committed to creating opportunities that connect and empower young African entrepreneurs with a passion for wellness. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Board Harbor Foundation. She previously led the ALX Ventures Accelerator at The Room, a program that supports African tech startups in developing, connecting, and securing funding. Our goal is to create one million decent jobs for young Africans by 2030. Before joining The Room, she had managed Growth Africa’s West African operations and advised startups on operational growth
Moses Kanyesigye
Founder
As Regional Coordinator for SMEs, Women, and Youth at the East African Business Council, he develops programs to support these groups in trade. He is also part of the EU/Africa Technical Working Group and leads the Continental Youth Policy Makers Bootcamp, training young entrepreneurs on the AfCFTA agreement and trade policy. In 2023, he co-convened youth dialogues with the AfCFTA Secretariat on implementing the AfCFTA Protocol and previously led the AfCFTA Youth Inclusion Accelerator project with GIZ-AU to promote youth involvement in the AfCFTA.
What we’ve been up to
Here, we highlight the inspiring stories and impactful projects from activities we have undertaken.
Afrikan Youth Business Council 