Kampala, Uganda | September 16, 2025
Uganda is set to welcome nine Heads of State, including prominent African and Arab leaders, for the much-anticipated Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) Congress, taking place from 6th–10th October 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.
Among the dignitaries confirmed to attend are President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, and President Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea, who will join their counterparts in what is expected to be a landmark summit focused on youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and Afro-Arab cooperation.
The congress, held under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Prosperity,” is also expected to attract high-level international figures including H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League, and H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Notably, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and President William Ruto of Kenya will jointly preside over the opening ceremony, while King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria are expected to close the event.
Founded in 2004 in Khartoum, Sudan, the Afro-Arab Youth Council serves as a bridge between Africa and the Arab world, championing youth inclusion in development and diplomacy. Uganda has hosted the AAYC Secretariat since 2008, following a Host Country Agreement with the government. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni serves as the Council’s Patron, further underscoring Uganda’s strategic leadership in Afro-Arab affairs.
Speaking ahead of the congress, Hon. Agaba Abbas, Secretary General of AAYC and a key figure on the organizing committee, highlighted the significance of the event:
“This congress will not only cement Afro-Arab solidarity but also unlock opportunities for young people in education, sports, and innovation. Uganda is proud to host this historic event, and we are confident it will leave a legacy of unity and progress.”
The congress will bring together over 1,500 delegates including youth leaders, policymakers, private sector innovators, academics, and development partners. It will feature a range of activities, such as plenary sessions, youth-led workshops, cultural showcases, and a high-profile fundraising gala aimed at supporting the construction of the AAYC’s international headquarters in Uganda.
The proposed headquarters project—valued in the billions—will include: a modern office block, a University of Science and Technology, an international sports stadium, a three-star hotel, an Afro-Arab Cultural Heritage Centre
Beyond the prestige and diplomatic visibility, Uganda is expected to reap significant economic and strategic benefits from hosting the congress, including a boost in tourism, job creation, business networking, and deepened geopolitical ties with Arab nations and African partners.
The 2025 Afro-Arab Youth Congress is poised to be a defining moment for youth empowerment and Afro-Arab cooperation, positioning Uganda as a regional hub for global dialogue, innovation, and inclusive development.
ENDS
