Nairobi: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people to drive climate action following the launch of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate Resilience. Speaking during the launch, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy PS, Fikirini Jacobs, emphasized the critical role of Africa’s youthful population in addressing climate challenges and accelerating sustainable development.
According to Kenya News Agency, Jacobs noted that Africa is uniquely positioned as the only continent with a predominantly youthful population, urging governments and institutions to harness this demographic advantage. “If our region is to embrace meaningful change, then we must leverage young people’s creativity and their innovation,” he said. The PS underscored that youth must go beyond accessing opportunities and actively utilize them to influence systems and drive transformation.
The PS challenged young people to take responsibility in shaping climate solutions and participating in policy processes, highlighting that youth inclusion is key to achieving lasting impact. He also mentioned ongoing government programmes such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), which targets over 820,000 young people, focusing on skills development in technology and the creative economy.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council Kenya, Gloria Wawira, stated that the coalition comes at a critical time when climate change impacts are already being felt across the region. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is disrupting our lives every day. In Nairobi, we recently experienced floods that affected livelihoods and food systems,” she said. Wawira described the coalition as a structured platform aimed at strengthening youth participation in climate governance and enterprise development.
Director of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, Dr. Abdi Fidar, highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather patterns, including droughts and floods. “We are either dealing with water scarcity or excess. This shows the need to improve climate services and water management systems in our region,” he said. Dr. Fidar called on young people to embrace technology and innovation in addressing climate challenges, warning that a lack of digital skills could leave many behind.
IGAD Youth Envoy Sam Ogwal emphasized that the coalition represents a milestone in strengthening regional coordination and youth-led climate action. “Our region is among the most climate-vulnerable globally, yet young people remain our greatest asset. This coalition provides a platform to mobilize youth and amplify their voice in policy and innovation,” he said.
President of the Ethiopian Youth Council Fuad Gena pointed out that young people are already playing a critical role as innovators and entrepreneurs in climate solutions. “Young people are not just beneficiaries of climate policies; they are frontline responders and drivers of change,” he said. He called for increased investment in youth-led initiatives and stronger collaboration between governments and development partners.
Head of Resilience, Climate, and Soil Fertility at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Tilahun Amede, emphasized the need to link climate resilience with agricultural transformation. “Agriculture remains central to our economies, yet it is highly vulnerable to climate change. We must equip young people with skills and access to finance and innovation tools,” he said.
The IGAD Regional Youth Coalition aims to mobilize young people across member states to champion climate resilience through policy advocacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Speakers at the event expressed optimism that the initiative will strengthen regional collaboration, consolidate youth-led efforts, and create sustainable solutions to climate challenges. “The future of climate resilience will not be determined in boardrooms alone. It will be shaped by young people who are ready to act,” said Wawira.
