By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on young Africans to take the lead in strengthening democracy and driving technological innovation across the continent as he officially opened the 2026 Young Democrats Union of Africa (YDUA) Annual Conference in Monrovia.
The program which was held today, July 1, 2016 at the Cape Hotel brought together youth from more than 30 African countries, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, civil society organizations, and political leaders, President Boakai described the conference as timely, saying Africa is undergoing rapid political, economic, and technological transformation.
He said Liberia’s democratic journey from years of civil conflict to more than two decades of constitutional governance and peaceful transfers of power demonstrates that democracy remains the surest path to national development, peace, and stability.
President Boakai said Africa’s greatest strength lies in its youthful population, noting that between 60 and 70 percent of Africans are under the age of 30.
He challenged young people to become active participants in governance by defending democratic values, engaging in elections, and holding leaders accountable while embracing innovation in sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy, and financial technology.
He stressed that Africa must move beyond being a consumer of technology, urging governments to invest in research and innovation to create opportunities that will discourage dangerous migration by young people seeking better lives abroad.
The Liberian leader further encouraged delegates to use the conference as a platform to develop practical recommendations that will strengthen democratic institutions, expand youth participation, and accelerate technological advancement across the continent. He emphasized that Africa’s future will depend on visionary leadership, integrity, and meaningful youth engagement, expressing confidence that the gathering would inspire a new generation committed to democracy, innovation, peace, and prosperity. He subsequently declared the 2026 Young Democrats Union of Africa Annual Conference officially open.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Chairman of the Unity Party National Youth Congress, Togar Melvin Cephas, welcomed delegates to Liberia, describing their presence as a powerful demonstration that Africa’s young people are ready to shape the continent’s future.
He said Liberia was deeply honored to host the conference, noting that the country’s democratic resilience and peaceful recovery from conflict make it an ideal venue for discussions on youth leadership and democratic governance.
According to Cephas, the conference theme, “Awakening the Giant: Youth-Led Democracy and Africa’s Tech Revolution,” reflects the enormous responsibility placed on Africa’s youth to lead both democratic reforms and technological progress.
Cephas urged participants to leave Liberia with more than memories, calling on them to forge lasting partnerships and develop practical solutions that will deepen democracy, promote transparency, combat corruption, and harness technology to improve the lives of millions of Africans.
Declaring that “we are not Africa’s future; we are Africa’s present,” he encouraged delegates to seize the opportunity to write what he described as the next great chapter of African democracy while carrying Liberia’s message of peace, resilience, and hope back to their respective countries.
