Monrovia, Liberia, became a vibrant hub for youth leadership and regional collaboration as it hosted the 12th West Africa Scout Youth Forum (14–15 April 2026) and the 16th West Africa Scout Zonal Conference (16–18 April 2026). The back-to-back events brought together young people, Scout leaders, and partners from across West Africa, marking an important step in strengthening Scouting in the region.
Empowering young people through leadership and innovation
The Youth Forum created a space for young people to share ideas, build skills, and take an active role in shaping Scouting in their countries. Participants explored how to strengthen youth leadership and increase their involvement in decision-making within National Scout Organizations (NSOs).
Building on the previous 10th Africa Scout regional forum, they discussed practical ways to ensure young people’s voices are heard and valued.
Key sessions focused on developing relevant and engaging youth programmes aligned with regional priorities. Topics discussed included digital literacy, artificial intelligence, and storytelling, tools that can help young people increase their impact and strengthen Scouting’s visibility.
The Forum also elected two new Youth Advisors, Yelindo Gregoire Djassou from Benin and Douti Babian Lanename from Togo, to complete the youth advisors team, who will support youth representation in the region until 2027. Reflecting on the experience, Alhassane Awjim from Niger said:
The highlights were the panel discussions, which allowed us to share experiences, and the group work, where we developed concrete recommendations.
Strengthening governance and regional collaboration
The Zonal Conference brought together over 100 delegates and observers from across West Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Mali, and Liberia. Participants reviewed progress since the previous conference in 2025 and identified priorities for the years ahead.
The event opened with a ceremony attended by national leaders from Liberia and partners, highlighting the important role Scouting plays in youth development and regional cooperation, including within ECOWAS.
Discussions of the conference focused on:
- Strengthening governance and leadership within National Scout Organizations
- Expanding membership and improving youth programmes
- Promoting Safe from Harm and safeguarding practices
- Advancing Scouts for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Representatives of the Africa Scout Committee supported discussions and helped connect regional actions with continental priorities.
Driving impact across the region
Delegates agreed on the need to strengthen governance structures and improve coordination across the region. They also highlighted the role of Scouting in promoting peace and resilience, particularly in communities facing growing challenges. A strong commitment was made to increase the participation of young people, especially young women, in leadership and decision-making.
Looking ahead
