ONE Champions poses for a group photo during the launch of ONE Academy in Nairobi on September 23, 2026.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 23, 2026 — The ONE Campaign has launched ONE Academy, a pan-African learning and action platform aimed at equipping young Africans with practical skills, networks and opportunities to participate effectively in advocacy and influence public policy.
The new initiative seeks to bridge the gap between young people’s willingness to speak up on issues affecting their communities and their ability to translate that engagement into sustained advocacy and meaningful influence on decisions made at community, national and continental levels.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, ONE Campaign Executive Director for Africa Serah Makka said the academy would provide young people with the tools and opportunities needed to turn their ideas and energy into effective advocacy.
“Africa’s young people do not lack ideas, ambition or a desire to shape the future. What is often missing is the infrastructure that helps turn energy, passion and ideas into sustained advocacy and meaningful influence,” said Makka.
She said ONE Academy would help young Africans understand policy issues, identify where decisions are made, develop compelling cases, mobilise others and advocate for change.
“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,” she added
.The academy is designed for young Africans aged between 18 and 35 and will combine accessible learning with practical opportunities for participants to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire.
Through the programme, learners will develop advocacy skills, deepen their understanding of policy and decision-making processes, and connect with peers and experienced practitioners working in the field.
The initiative is also expected to develop a growing community of young advocates who can collaborate, exchange experiences and apply their skills to issues affecting their communities and countries.
The launch comes against the backdrop of growing interest among African youth in participating in efforts to shape the continent’s future.
According to ONE’s 2026 youth advocacy survey conducted across six African countries, nearly 90 per cent of young people surveyed said they felt confident speaking up about issues they cared about.
However, only 53 per cent said they had ever participated in an advocacy activity, highlighting a gap between confidence and actual participation.
ONE Campaign President Ambassador Mark Green said sustained progress required people with the knowledge and determination to support and advance positive policy outcomes.
“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,” said Green.
He said the academy would contribute to building the capacity of a new generation of African advocates and leaders.
“ONE Academy is our investment in making that happen, in equipping a generation of African advocates and leaders to turn their voices into influence, and their influence into change,” he said.
ONE Academy is launching with Foundational Learning Advocacy as its first flagship course, initially targeting young people in Kenya and Senegal.
The inaugural course will focus on the challenges facing foundational learning and equip participants to make informed cases for policies, investments and implementation measures aimed at improving learning outcomes.
The ONE Campaign said the academy would expand as more partners come on board, with additional courses, practical advocacy opportunities and networks expected to give more young Africans the opportunity to strengthen their advocacy skills and participate meaningfully in public policy.
The initiative is therefore positioned not only as a learning platform but also as a pathway through which young people can move from acquiring knowledge to taking action and influencing decisions on issues that matter to them.
