Kenya is among African states facing a serious youth unemployment crisis.

Kenya’s youth unemployment rate has soared past 38 per cent, Nigeria’s stands at 42 per cent, and South Africa at 46 per cent.

This emerged during the CorpsAfrica’s 2025 All-Country Conference in Nairobi.

Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya noted that 70 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30 face youth unemployment crisis.

Mvurya challenged Africa to break free from donor dependency, urging a collaborator approach with local businesses, networks and community to invest in youth volunteer programmes that deliver tangible opportunities, social inclusion and dignity.

“Africa’s youth have spoken with unmistakable clarity. They want jobs, not handouts; platforms, not patronage; and action, not promises. Young people aren’t waiting—they’re building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead,” he said.

The CS announced Kenya’s commitment to fast-track a review of the National Volunteer Policy, aiming to integrate youth volunteerism more fully into the national development framework.

“We recognise that young people aren’t waiting they’re building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead,” Mvurya said.

The revised policy is expected to reward and recognize volunteer service as a legitimate path to employment, civic engagement, and social innovation.

The policy review aims to create broader recognition and reward systems for volunteerism as a driver of civic engagement and social capital in Kenya, potentially transforming how youth service is valued in the country’s development framework.

Dr Patricia King’ori-Mugendi, CorpsAfrica’s Country Director for Kenya urged governments to hold youth with dignity.

“We must reframe volunteerism not as unpaid work, but as transformative leadership and professional development that accelerates public service for the 21st century,” Dr Mugendi said.

Mugendi’s voice echoed the central message at CorpsAfrica’s 2025 All-Country Conference (ACC), currently underway in Nairobi: Africa’s youth are not the problem—they are the solution.

More than 1,000 young leaders, policymakers, development partners, and philanthropists from 11 African countries converged at the Kenya School of Government under the theme: “Leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming the Continent.”

“We must reframe volunteerism—not as unpaid labor, but as transformative leadership for the 21st century. Real leadership doesn’t start in boardrooms. It begins where people live, work, and struggle,” emphasized Dr Mugendi.

“And it is from there that Africa will rise—led by its youth, grounded in Ubuntu.”

Dr Samora Otieno, CorpsAfrica’s Chief of Programs said: “We’re not parachuting in solutions. We are nurturing community-rooted innovators.”

“This isn’t just about helping communities. It’s about growing a generation of African leaders who know how to listen, lead, and build.”

CorpsAfrica Founder and CEO Liz Fanning emphasized the organization’s commitment to viewing Africa’s large youth population as an asset rather than a crisis.

 “Volunteerism isn’t a detour—it’s a runway. We envision a generation of leaders rooted in community and committed to sparking change from the grassroots up. Africa’s youth are not a crisis—they are our greatest asset,” said Fanning.