The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Ministry of Youth Affairs, officially opened the first day of the Mano River Union (MRU) Youth Connekt 2026 forum on Thursday, June 18, 2026. This significant regional event, hosted at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Aberdeen, marks a three-day gathering scheduled to run from June 18 to June 20, 2026. The opening ceremony brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and development partners, all converging to discuss the future of youth in the Mano River Union region.
Goals and Vision
The forum's theme is "One Region. One Generation. One Future." This overarching theme encapsulates the collective ambition of the participating nations to foster unity and progress among their youth. Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh, the Minister of Youth Affairs, described MRU Youth Connekt 2026 as a strategic platform designed to empower young people through entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development, and regional collaboration. He stated, "MRU Youth Connekt 2026 is a strategic platform designed to empower young people through entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and regional collaboration. It reflects the shared commitment of MRU member states to place young people at the centre of sustainable development and regional transformation." This commitment shows a forward-looking approach to regional growth, recognizing the key role of youth in shaping the future.
The event signifies a renewed commitment by the Governments of the four Mano River Union member states and their development partners to strengthen regional integration by investing in young people. This renewed focus aims to leverage the vast potential of the region's youthful demographic. Minister Sannoh emphasized, "Young people remain the driving force behind economic growth and should be provided with the knowledge, resources and support needed to realize their full potential." He further articulated a vision for the region, stating, "We envision a future where young entrepreneurs would collaborate freely across the region, build businesses together and contribute to the socio-economic development of the Mano River Union." This vision notes the importance of cross-border cooperation and shared economic prosperity.
Despite these aspirations, challenges persist in the region. Unemployment, limited economic diversification, climate change, and political polarization continue to undermine young people's ability to contribute meaningfully to national and regional development. These obstacles necessitate full strategies and collaborative efforts to create an enabling environment for youth. Minister Sannoh concluded, "Resilience, creativity and continuous learning would enable young Africans to transform challenges into opportunities and become leaders in shaping the continent’s future." His remarks showed the need for adaptability and continuous personal development in navigating the complex landscape of regional development.
Activities and Support
The forum convened young leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and development partners representing Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. The presence of delegates from these four nations shows the regional scope and collaborative spirit of the event. Over the course of the three-day event, participants are expected to concentrate on formulating practical recommendations, bolstering regional partnerships, and pinpointing innovative solutions for youth development. These discussions are critical for translating broad goals into actionable strategies. Delegates will engage in a variety of activities designed to foster skill-building and collaboration, ensuring a dynamic and interactive experience.
These activities include masterclasses aimed at practical skill acquisition, providing participants with tangible tools and knowledge. Innovation and entrepreneurship sessions will focus on new business development, encouraging creative solutions to regional challenges and supporting the growth of young enterprises. Leadership discussions are intended to cultivate future leaders, equipping them with the vision and capabilities to guide their communities and nations. The program also incorporates cultural exchanges, promoting understanding and connection among attendees from different nations, thereby strengthening the fabric of regional identity. Additionally, extensive networking opportunities are provided to facilitate collaboration and partnership building among the diverse group of participants, fostering long-term relationships and joint ventures. Over the next three days, participants will specifically focus on developing practical recommendations, strengthening regional partnerships, and identifying innovative solutions that can be implemented across the member states.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Mano River Union Secretariat, and YouthConnekt Africa are funding and supporting the event. Their involvement shows a commitment to empowering young people within the Mano River Union region through strategic partnerships and resource allocation. This multi-stakeholder support is key for the success and sustainability of the initiatives discussed at the forum. The event is funded and supported by these key organizations, noting a concerted effort to invest in the region's youth. The forum aims to create a cohesive environment for young professionals to share ideas and work towards common regional goals, fostering a sense of shared purpose and collective action.
Regional Significance
The programme seeks to strengthen cooperation among Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, recognizing their shared predominantly youthful population as one of Africa’s greatest assets. This demographic advantage presents a unique opportunity for accelerated development if properly harnessed. Secretary General of the Mano River Union, Ambassador Simeon B. Moribah, stated the forum demonstrates the region’s determination to harness the potential of its young population for sustainable development. Ambassador Moribah emphasized that rapid technological advancement, innovation, and artificial intelligence are transforming economies, requiring young people to be equipped with relevant skills to compete globally. He noted the urgent need for strong educational and training frameworks that prepare youth for the demands of the modern workforce.
The MRU Youth Connekt Forum represents a collective effort to place young people at the center of development, recognizing them not merely as beneficiaries but as equal partners, innovators, and leaders. This paradigm shift is essential for fostering a sense of ownership and agency among the youth. Ambassador Moribah described MRU Youth Connekt as a platform that enables young people to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership, build partnerships, and transform innovative concepts into practical solutions. These solutions, he added, are capable of creating jobs and improving livelihoods across the region, directly contributing to economic growth and stability.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Seraphine Wakana, described the inaugural MRU Youth Connekt Forum as a significant milestone in advancing youth development and regional cooperation across the Mano River Union. Ms. Wakana noted that the four member states share a youthful population, which presents enormous opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development if properly empowered. This shared demographic reality forms a strong basis for collaborative initiatives. She concluded, "Despite coming from different countries, the youth of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire share one region, one generation and one future." This powerful statement resonated with the forum's theme and emphasized the interconnectedness of the region's youth. Ambassador Moribah urged participants to use the forum as the beginning of a long-term movement to develop future entrepreneurs, innovators, peacebuilders, and transformational leaders committed to regional integration, ensuring that the impact of the forum extends far beyond its three-day duration.
