Develop leadership capacity
Equip young Africans with essential leadership skills rooted in self-awareness, responsibility, and ethical decision-making.
Projects · Ivory Coast
African Youth Development Program (AYDP)
Leadership training and entrepreneurial development for young Africans — empowering the next generation of leaders.
About AYDP
Empowering African youth
- AYDP is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering young people across Africa through leadership, personal development and entrepreneurship.
- Our goal is to equip the next generation with the tools and mindset needed to overcome the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and social inequality.
- We offer personal development workshops and business incubation programs that inspire youth to become agents of change in their communities.
- AYDP works in collaboration with local and international partners to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Vision
AYDP objectives
Empowering the next generation of leaders in Africa.
Promote personal development
Foster growth in emotional intelligence, resilience, and purpose-driven living to prepare participants for impactful roles in society.
Cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets
Provide practical training in innovation, business planning, and resource management to empower youth as job creators.
Address unemployment and poverty
Create pathways to economic independence by supporting startup development, vocational training, and access to microfinance.
Build community impact initiatives
Encourage participants to launch community-based projects that address local needs and promote sustainable development.
Strengthen networks and mentorship
Connect emerging leaders with mentors, coaches, and successful entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora.
Promote inclusive growth
Ensure gender balance and the inclusion of marginalized groups in all training and leadership opportunities.
The challenge
Why this work matters
“Nearly half of the 10 million graduates from Africa’s 668 universities each year cannot find jobs. We must strengthen our human capital to foster Africa’s development.”
In 2019, only 31.7% to 32% of graduate students could find jobs (Bachelor’s-Master’s-Engineering program) (ENE, 2019).
Poverty rate is 30% in the capital city Abidjan and 60 to 70% in the suburban areas.
The HDI for Côte d’Ivoire in 2022 was 0.534, classifying it as having low human development.
In 2023, the total life expectancy at birth in Côte d’Ivoire was 61 years.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM, 2022), Ivory Coast is one of the top countries of origin of migrants who have reached the borders of Southern Europe.
Video · 2:58
Introducing AYDP
See how AYDP trains and equips young leaders and entrepreneurs in Ivory Coast.
In the field
Leadership and entrepreneurship training
Results
Measuring impact
Participants complete a five-day seminar, three weeks of coaching, and are supported to turn their ideas into small businesses.
Questions about ADLD programs?
Reach out and our team will respond promptly. Your support also helps us train the next generation of African diaspora leaders.