Youth shaping Africa's water future.

The network was created to provide a collaborative platform through which young people could contribute to addressing critical issues related to water access, water governance, WASH, policy advocacy, research, innovation, knowledge exchange and community action. From the beginning, we believed that young people should not merely be beneficiaries of water policies and programmes; they should be active partners in designing, implementing and evaluating solutions.

Our early engagements demonstrated that Africa's water challenges extend beyond national borders. Water insecurity, inadequate WASH services, climate change, pollution, weak governance systems, limited investment and unequal access affect communities across every region of the continent. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires stronger continental cooperation and the meaningful participation of Africa's youth.

In 2023, the Global Youth Water Network underwent a strategic transformation and became the African Youth Water Forum. This was more than a change of name. It represented an institutional shift towards building a distinctly African continental platform grounded in the continent's realities, priorities, knowledge, innovations and approaches to water governance and water security.

Guided by our vision of Water Security for All, AYWF works to advance this vision by and with African youth through policy dialogue, research, innovation, advocacy, knowledge exchange, partnerships and collective action.

Today, AYWF connects more than 300 members across over 36 African countries, representing Northern, Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, with growing engagement from the wider African diaspora, including members in Switzerland and Canada. Our network brings together young professionals, researchers, students, civil society actors, public institutions, government agencies, educational institutions and other stakeholders committed to advancing Africa's water agenda.

AYWF operates through a structured governance system at continental, regional and country levels. The Forum is guided by a Continental Coordinating Council responsible for strategic leadership, coordination, oversight and institutional development.

Our evolution from a small network of young water professionals into an emerging continental movement reflects our enduring commitment: to empower African youth to collectively build a water-secure, climate-resilient and sustainable future for the continent.