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New podcast amplifies the voices of African youth re-shaping our world
The United Nations Foundation has announced the launch of Future of Africa, a new podcast series that amplifies young African voices in global policy conversations. Future of Africa is co-hosted by the African Union Youth Envoy, the UN Foundation and The Elders, in collaboration with the Global Dispatches Podcast.
This limited-series podcast, presented by Kenyan media personality Adelle Onyango alongside Mark Leon Goldberg, brings together young changemakers and global leaders, exploring the global challenges and opportunities shaping the world today — and Africa tomorrow.
Through a mix of personal storytelling and policy dialogue, the podcast tackles issues ranging from climate justice and financing for development to trust in democratic institutions and the future of education.
As multilateralism faces a crisis of trust and relevance, Future of Africa offers a fresh model. By platforming conversations between global leaders and young African changemakers, the series explores how human stories can disrupt conventional thinking, build empathy across borders, and forge shared purpose around urgent global challenges.
Harshani Dharmadasa, Senior Director, the UN Foundation“As the world’s youngest continent, Africa holds the key to shaping the global future. The Future of Africa podcast elevates the bold ideas, lived experiences, and leadership of young Africans already driving change from the grassroots to global platforms.”
The podcast is a signature output of the Panel of the Future, an initiative of the African Union Youth Envoy that convenes young leaders advocating for inclusive, youth-centered policymaking. Each episode pairs these emerging voices with statespeople and global policy experts in unscripted, intergenerational conversations designed to share innovative ideas and practical solutions with listeners.
Chido Mpemba, Advisor to the African Union Commission Chairperson: “I’ve seen powerful ideas buried in reports that many people will never read. This podcast is about amplifying the voices of young Africans who are building a new future for our continent and the world. This series is a reminder that stories, especially when led by young people, can humanize global challenges, challenge outdated assumptions, and help reimagine how international cooperation works for the next generation.”
This podcast brings young people’s energy into direct dialogue with the institutions shaping our continent and our world. Guests include:
Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Chido Mpemba, formerly the African Union’s Special Youth Envoy and currently the Advisor to the African Union Commission Chairperson focused on Women, Gender and Youth
Minister Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Chair of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Minister of Education of Senegal
Ms. Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director for the Education and Transitions programming platform at Mastercard Foundation’s Education, Learning & Youth Livelihood Team
Ms. Graça Machel, First Education Minister of Mozambique, Co-founder of the Elders
The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major streaming platforms.
