The African Center for Economic Transformation has officially opened applications for the 2026 edition of the ACET Youth Policy Lab, a continent-wide initiative aimed at equipping young Africans with practical policymaking, leadership, and innovation skills.

The program, themed “From Coordination to Commercialization: Youth, Innovation & Growth,” invites young Africans between the ages of 18 and 35 to participate in a policy innovation challenge designed to simulate real-world governance and economic transformation scenarios.

Applications are open from 15 June to 7 July 2026, with selected participants joining a multi-stage process involving mentorship, teamwork, policy design, and virtual pitching.

What Is the ACET Youth Policy Lab?

The ACET Youth Policy Lab is a youth-centered platform that combines elements of a policy simulation, leadership accelerator, and innovation challenge.

According to ACET, the initiative is designed to help young Africans step into the role of policymakers and develop practical, evidence-based solutions to pressing development issues facing the continent.

The program blends:

Policy analysis and governance simulations
Innovation and problem-solving exercises
Leadership and public policy training
Team-based collaboration and mentorship
Digital engagement and advocacy campaigns

Organizers describe the initiative as more than a traditional competition, emphasizing its role as a transformative learning experience for Africa’s next generation of leaders.

Focus on Youth, Innovation, and Economic Growth

The 2026 edition centers on the relationship between innovation, commercialization, and inclusive economic growth across Africa.

Participants will be challenged to think critically about how African economies can better coordinate policy, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems to accelerate sustainable development.

The Policy Lab aims to amplify youth perspectives in decision-making spaces where young Africans are often underrepresented.

Core objectives include:

Strengthening youth participation in policymaking
Encouraging evidence-based policy development
Promoting innovative solutions to development challenges
Building leadership and governance skills
Supporting collaboration among young African changemakers

The initiative aligns with ACET’s broader mission of advancing economic transformation and inclusive growth across the continent.

How the Program Works

The ACET Youth Policy Lab follows a structured, multi-phase process designed to guide participants from application to policy presentation.

The program timeline includes:

Application Period

15 June – 7 July 2026

Young Africans interested in policy, innovation, and leadership are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Team Formation

Six teams of five participants will be formed.

Participants will collaborate with peers from across Africa to design and refine policy solutions.

Mentorship and Coaching

September 2026

Selected teams will receive mentorship and coaching from policy experts, professionals, and development practitioners.

Coaching Period

21 September – 16 October 2026

Teams will work intensively on developing proposals, refining ideas, and preparing presentations.

Virtual Pitch Event

4 November 2026

Teams will present their policy ideas during a virtual pitching session.

Winners Announcement

Top-performing teams will be recognized and rewarded, with opportunities for wider visibility and engagement.

YES Ambassador Program and Networking Opportunities

Participants will also gain access to the YES Ambassador Program, which connects young Africans through a regional youth engagement network.

The initiative is intended to:

Build long-term professional relationships
Encourage collaboration across African countries
Support future youth-led policy initiatives
Expand opportunities for civic and economic leadership

Organizers say the network component is a key aspect of the program’s long-term impact.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

The Youth Policy Lab is open to young Africans who are passionate about governance, innovation, and development policy.

Eligibility requirements include:

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old
Applicants must be citizens of African countries
Interest in policy analysis, innovation, and leadership is encouraged

The program particularly welcomes applicants seeking to strengthen their engagement in spaces where youth voices are often overlooked.

Key Dates for the 2026 ACET Youth Policy Lab

Important dates for applicants and participants include:

Applications Open: 15 June – 7 July 2026
Team Shortlisting: 8 July – 31 July 2026
Team Interviews: 1 August – 31 August 2026
Team Onboarding: 1 September – 18 September 2026
Coaching Period: 21 September – 16 October 2026
Virtual Pitch Event: 4 November 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid missing the deadline.

About ACET

The African Center for Economic Transformation is a pan-African policy institute focused on advancing economic transformation, sustainable growth, and inclusive development across Africa.

Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, ACET works on issues including:

Economic governance
Innovation and digital policy
Gender equality
Regional integration
Green industrial transformation
Youth employment and skills development

Through initiatives like the Youth Policy Lab, ACET aims to strengthen the role of young Africans in shaping the continent’s economic and policy future.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding