The ONE Campaign has launched ONE Academy, a new pan-African learning and action platform aimed at equipping young Africans with practical skills, networks and opportunities to participate in advocacy and influence decisions affecting their communities.
The initiative is designed to develop what ONE describes as Africa’s next generation of advocates by combining learning with practical opportunities for young people to apply their knowledge to issues they care about
The organisation said the ambition is to move young people beyond acquiring knowledge to taking action and influencing policy and development outcomes.
“ONE Academy is our investment in that infrastructure,” said Serah Makka, executive director for Africa at The ONE Campaign.
“We want young Africans to be able to understand an issue, know where decisions are made and where power sits, build a compelling case, mobilise others and advocate effectively for change. It is about giving a generation that is already ready to lead more of the tools, networks and opportunities to do so.”
The platform targets young Africans aged between 18 and 35 and will provide training in advocacy, policy and decision-making while creating opportunities for participants to connect with peers and experienced practitioners.
ONE said the Academy will eventually develop into a community of advocates who can share experiences, collaborate on issues and put their skills into practice.
The launch comes against the backdrop of growing youth engagement across Africa, with young people increasingly organising around social, economic and political issues.
According to ONE's 2026 youth advocacy survey covering six African countries, nearly 90 per cent of young people surveyed said they were confident speaking up about issues they cared about.
However, only 53 per cent said they had ever participated in an advocacy activity, highlighting what the organisation described as a gap between young people's willingness to speak out and their ability to translate that interest into sustained influence.
ONE said the findings point to the need for stronger structures that can help young people turn their ideas and energy into effective advocacy.
“Africa’s young people do not lack ideas, ambition or a desire to shape the future,” Makka said. “What is often missing is the infrastructure that helps turn energy, passion and ideas into sustained advocacy and meaningful influence.”
Through the Academy, participants will learn how to identify policy issues, understand how decisions are made, build evidence-based arguments, mobilise support and engage decision-makers.
The programme will also expose participants to networks that can help them collaborate with other young advocates and practitioners across the continent.
Ambassador Mark Green, President of The ONE Campaign, said sustainable progress required people capable of carrying reforms forward.
“Stronger systems matter, better policies matter and greater investment matters, but progress only lasts when there are people with knowledge, confidence and the persistence to carry it forward,” Green said.
The Academy is launching with Foundational Learning Advocacy as its first flagship course, with the initial programme focusing on Kenya and Senegal.
The course will introduce young advocates to the challenges surrounding foundational learning and equip them to advocate for policies, investments and implementation measures aimed at improving learning outcomes.
As the platform expands, the organisation plans to introduce additional courses, practical advocacy opportunities and networks aimed at reaching more young Africans.
The Academy is intended to provide a pathway through which young people can move from learning about policy and advocacy to participating directly in efforts to influence public decisions.
