GFAN Africa Youth Forum
Youth Voices Shaping Africa’s Health FutureAfrica has the world’s youngest population — a powerful force that must be included in health governance, policy formulation, and the fight against disease. The GFAN Africa Youth Forum is a youth-led initiative convened to amplify youth perspectives, build advocacy capacity, and contribute directly to the Global Fund’s mission of ending epidemics and strengthening health systems.
This feature story highlights the ongoing conversations, advocacy journeys, and lived experiences shared monthly by young African advocates through March 2026.
About the GFAN Africa Youth Forum
Africa carries 24% of the world’s population but faces a disproportionately high disease burden. With more than 200 million youth aged 15–24, and 42% of the world’s youth expected to reside on the continent by 2030, their voice and leadership cannot be optional — they are essential. The GFAN Africa Youth Forum exists to ensure that young people have the knowledge, platform, and capacity to actively engage in building stronger health systems. The Forum is part of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment support efforts and builds on WACI Health’s Under the Tree initiative, which strengthens youth leadership and advocacy in public health.
Africa carries 24% of the world’s population but faces a disproportionately high disease burden. With more than 200 million youth aged 15–24, and 42% of the world’s youth expected to reside on the continent by 2030, their voice and leadership cannot be optional — they are essential. The GFAN Africa Youth Forum exists to ensure that young people have the knowledge, platform, and capacity to actively engage in building stronger health systems. The Forum is part of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment support efforts and builds on WACI Health’s Under the Tree initiative, which strengthens youth leadership and advocacy in public health
Together we are stronger
Our Partners
The Forum is supported by a strong network of youth-focused and community-centered organizations, including:
August Session
The session highlighted why young people matter in decision-making, their role in advocacy, and the importance of storytelling in GFAN Africa’s One World, One Fight campaign. Youth participants also co-created messages for the TICAD-9 Summit.
Hear from Miranda Ziba, an advocate from The Youth Platform, Zambia, on youth advocacy towards African and Japanese leaders for TICAD-9.
September Session
The session featured a community story showing the impact of the Global Fund and youth engagement opportunities during key global moments such as the G20 and the World Health Assembly. Youth developed advocacy messages that were amplified on these platforms.
Hear from Nuradeen Zakariyya, an advocate from Nigeria who shared his lived experience of fighting malaria and the impact of the Global Fund.
Youth as Change Agents
We cannot discuss the future without including the population that is the most affected.Young people are not passive beneficiaries. They shape policies, mobilize communities, and drive innovation. Their voices must be included in all health conversations — especially those that determine their future.
