A major international webinar focused on the future of youth employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in Africa will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with the official launch of the final report on the project titled “Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Indigenous Knowledge in Africa.”
The virtual event will bring together researchers, policymakers, development organizations, academics, community leaders, and youth-focused stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to examine how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities for young people.
The webinar marks the culmination of a multi-country research project carried out between 2023 and 2026 across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa. The initiative explored how indigenous communities continue to preserve and apply traditional knowledge systems in ways that support local economies, strengthen livelihoods, encourage entrepreneurship, and address social and environmental challenges.
According to the organizers, the research project was developed in response to growing concerns around unemployment, economic inequality, and limited access to opportunities for young people across many African communities. The study specifically examined how indigenous knowledge and community-based practices can serve as viable tools for economic participation and sustainable development when properly recognized and integrated into policy and development frameworks.
The webinar will feature a series of presentations highlighting findings from different indigenous communities across the continent. These include research on youth livelihoods among the Ijaws and Ogoni communities in Nigeria, the Maasai and Ogiek communities in Kenya and Tanzania, the Batwa community in Uganda, and the Abatwa and Nguni communities in South Africa.
Speakers will discuss how indigenous practices continue to influence sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, ecotourism, environmental conservation, cultural enterprise, and local innovation. The event will also explore the role of traditional knowledge in preserving cultural identity while creating practical economic opportunities for younger generations.
One of the key objectives of the webinar is to encourage broader conversations around the integration of indigenous knowledge into national and regional youth development strategies. Organizers believe that indigenous communities possess valuable knowledge systems that can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development goals, community resilience, and long-term economic empowerment across Africa.
The event is also expected to create opportunities for collaboration among academic institutions, development agencies, government representatives, researchers, and organizations working in areas related to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, culture, and sustainable development. Discussions during the webinar will focus on identifying pathways for stronger partnerships, inclusive policy development, and community-driven approaches to innovation and economic growth.
In addition to presenting the final report findings, the webinar aims to increase awareness of the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems while positioning them as active contributors to Africa’s development landscape rather than historical or cultural references alone.
The session will be held virtually via Zoom from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM GMT). Interested participants, researchers, institutions, and members of the public are encouraged to register and take part in the discussions surrounding sustainable solutions for youth employment and entrepreneurship in Africa.
The Launch of the Final Report on the Project: Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship through Indigenous Knowledge
The Africa Indigenous Knowledge Research Network was created to undertake research geared towards identifying, re-centering and harnessing Indigenous knowledge in Africa.
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