The Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) has released its 8th Youth Declaration ( The 8th SAYoF Declaration South Africa 2026 ) marking the conclusion of a landmark Forum convened to advance youth inclusion in agriculture, agrifood systems, climate action, nutrition, and water.
The Forum brought together more than 1,000 delegates, with participation in person and virtually, enabling broad representation of young people across the region. The Declaration reflects the collective support, ideas, and contributions of national, regional, and international partners who actively enriched the dialogue and outcomes of the Forum.
Key partners included the African Union Commission (AUC) – Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, AUDA-NEPAD, the SADC Secretariat, the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Additional support and collaboration came from institutions and networks such as New Economy Hub, AGRA, AMREF Health Africa, Y-ACT, Equality Now, SADC Business Council, Action Aid Zambia, and International IDEA.
The Forum also benefited from the engagement of youth-led, youth-focused, and continental organizations including the Pan African Youth Union, the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC), NAYO, and Be Relevant Africa, as well as agribusiness and agriculture-focused partners such as Africa Livestock Academy, Urban Farmer, and the Dutch Agriculture Youth Association. Other important contributors included Afro-Centric Locale, Southern and East African Forum for NGOs (SEFONGOs), Open Space ZW, and the Institute for Legislative and Policy Studies (ILPS).
SAYoF further acknowledges the participation and partnership of youth, farmers’ organizations, development partners, research institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector, alongside other partner institutions that helped shape the Forum’s discussions and strengthened its outcomes.
With the release of the 8th Southern Africa Youth Declaration, SAYoF reaffirms its commitment to translating youth priorities into actionable policy direction, strengthening youth inclusion, empowerment, and participation across Southern Africa’s agrifood systems. #SAYoF2026
Click here to download the Declaration: The 8th SAYoF Declaration South Africa 2026
