The 3rd edition of the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum concluded in Niamey on August 12, 2026, with the adoption of the 'Declaration of Niamey', calling for greater youth inclusion in security and economic development. Held from August 10 to August 12, 2026, at the Centre International Mahatma Gandhi, the event operated under the high patronage of Niger's President, General Abdourahamane Tiani. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture organized the forum in partnership with Youth Connekt Africa, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF. Approximately 400 young people from 8 Sahelian countries attended in person, while 2,500 others followed activities digitally, participating live via various digital platforms.
The three-day event centered on the theme 'Sahelian Youth at the Heart of Security and Innovation and for a Sovereign, Resilient and Prosperous Sahel'. This central theme guided the discussions and proposals put forth by the young participants. The Declaration of Niamey emphasized "l’accès sans discrimination des jeunes entrepreneurs aux crédits bancaires et d’assurer la pérennité de leurs micro-entreprises" (non-discriminatory access for young entrepreneurs to bank credit and ensuring the sustainability of their micro-enterprises). It also called for "la coopération entre les jeunes des pays du Sahel afin de mutualiser les compétences, partager les innovations et créer des entreprises capables d’opérer à l’échelle régionale" (cooperation among Sahelian youth to pool skills, share innovations, and create regionally operating businesses), and for harnessing "des talents de la diaspora sahélienne en créant des mécanismes permettant le transfert de compétences, d’investissements, de technologies et d’expériences vers les pays de la région" (the talents of the Sahelian diaspora by creating mechanisms for the transfer of skills, investments, technologies, and experiences to the region's countries).
Declaration's Core Demands
The Declaration of Niamey reaffirms a commitment to placing youth at the heart of the Sahel's transformation and calls for collective mobilization to achieve this goal. Described as a strategic roadmap, the declaration outlines collective, immediate, and concrete actions for Sahelian youth, structured around five strategic axes. These axes include peace, security, the prevention of violent extremism, and social cohesion, noting a full approach to regional challenges.
Participants demanded the creation of a Sahelian fund dedicated to youth, peace, and social cohesion, intended to finance youth participation in conflict prevention policies. This fund aims to empower young people to be active agents in fostering stability. The declaration also urged young people to reject hate speech, stigmatization, and divisions based on origin, community, or religion, promoting unity and mutual respect. It advocates for a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities across the region to strengthen social cohesion, addressing economic disparities that can fuel conflict.
The declaration further expressed a wish to bolster equal opportunities by reducing disparities between urban and rural youth and integrating gender considerations into all development initiatives. A call was made for a profound redefinition of educational systems to incorporate social values, fostering a solidary Sahelian identity that transcends national borders. Participants urged overcoming national, community, and cultural divisions to promote a unified Sahelian identity rooted in common values, emphasizing shared heritage and aspirations. To amplify their collective voice and ensure sustained engagement, initiatives for permanent dialogue and Sahelian youth forums were proposed, creating platforms for ongoing collaboration and advocacy.
Economic and Social Reintegration Initiatives
The Declaration of Niamey called for the institution of programs aimed at the socio-economic reintegration of young people affected by armed conflicts in the Sahel region. These programs are key for providing pathways to recovery and stability for those impacted by violence. Participants also demanded improved access for young entrepreneurs to bank credits and measures to ensure the sustainability of their micro-enterprises, recognizing the vital role of youth entrepreneurship in economic development. To foster regional economic growth, the declaration urged stronger cooperation among Sahelian youth, encouraging them to pool skills, share innovations, and establish businesses capable of operating across the region, thereby building a more integrated Sahelian economy.
The declaration further proposed mechanisms to valorize the talents of the Sahelian diaspora, facilitating the transfer of skills, investments, technologies, and experiences back to their home countries, leveraging global expertise for local development. A significant proposal was the creation of a Sahelian Corps of Youth for digital and civic resilience, envisioned to deploy young people in paid missions that contribute to regional stability and development, particularly in areas of technology and community engagement. To stimulate local economies, the declaration encouraged the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, cooperatives, and various income-generating activities, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, attendees proposed the institution of a Sahelian Prize for Youth Digital Innovation, designed to recognize and reward digital solutions that address challenges in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, peace, and security, promoting technological advancement and problem-solving among youth.
Future Outlook and Next Steps
Looking ahead, the next iteration of the YouthConnekt Sahel Forum is already planned. The 4th edition of the forum is scheduled to convene in Bamako, Mali, in 2027. This upcoming event will build upon the discussions and declarations made in Niamey, continuing the regional dialogue on youth involvement in security, economic development, and social cohesion across the Sahel. The choice of Bamako as the next host city signals an ongoing commitment to rotating the forum among Sahelian nations, aiming to foster broader participation and localized engagement with the initiatives outlined in the Declaration of Niamey. The continued staging of the forum shows regional efforts to integrate youth perspectives into future policy-making and development strategies, ensuring that the voices and needs of young people remain central to the region's progress.