Two years ago, New York Times journalist Declan Walsh opened his essay “The World Is Becoming More African” with a simple truth: while much of the planet is aging, Africa is getting younger fast. “As the world grays, Africa blooms with youth,” he wrote, a line that captures the continent’s demographic dynamism. That youth wave, he argued, is already remaking culture, politics, and economics worldwide. On 27 May 2025, the Africa Summit, organised by the Afrique Students Association (ASA) at the Geneva Graduate Institute, offered a front row view of that rising tide, drawing diplomats, scholars, and students to debate how a continent with a median age of nineteen can shape, rather than merely endure, a rapidly shifting global order.
The timing of this summit is no coincidence. Held just two days after Africa Day, the event reflects a deliberate recognition of Africa’s role as a central actor in global transformation, rather than a peripheral observer. Under the theme Africa at the Heart of a Changing World, the Afrique Students Association aims to position Geneva as a neutral platform where African perspectives can shape agendas, not merely respond to them. This third edition builds on the momentum of the two previous summits held in 2022 and 2024, further deepening the dialogue on Africa’s evolving global role.
The summit featured three panel discussions across the themes of democracy, health and humanitarian resilience, and technology, with contributions from nine expert speakers: Dr Lucy Koechlin, Dr Saba Kassa, and Michael Asiedu on democracy; Caty Fall Sow, Daouda Diouf, and Fred Awindaogo on health and humanitarian resilience; and Amb. M. M. O. Kah, Dr Aminata Garba, and Achille Yomi on technology and innovation – along with a keynote address from Vera Paquete-Perdigão.
The opening panel conversation on “Strengthening Africa’s Democratic Future” addressed the year’s wave of coups and political uncertainty without succumbing to fatalism. Panelists assessed the state of African democracies in the wake of the 2024 super election year and discussed notable outcomes in Botswana, South Africa, and Ghana. The conversation highlighted the vibrancy of civic spaces, particularly the growing engagement of young people, while also confronting the persistent challenge of corruption and its impact on governance. The discussions underscored that democratic backsliding is not a predetermined outcome but a consequence of weakened accountability mechanisms, which can be rebuilt through collective commitment and institutional reform.
The focus then turned to “Rethinking Health and Humanitarian Financing for Africa”. Panelists reflected on the limitations of reactive aid models and stressed the urgency of designing sustainable, locally led systems in a shifting global landscape where traditional solidarity is less predictable. The session emphasised that Africa must lead in shaping a new vision of resilience, one grounded in strong local health infrastructure, long-term investments, and a reimagined approach to humanitarian response that prioritises autonomy and preparedness.
The day concluded with the session “Tech Leapfrogging: How Africa Can Innovate on Its Own Terms”, which explored the continent’s growing engagement with digital technologies and the opportunities for homegrown innovation. Discussions centered on the need to develop sovereign digital infrastructures that reflect local priorities, reduce dependence on external platforms, and foster robust ecosystems for innovation. Panelists stressed the importance of inclusive policy reforms, cross-border collaboration, and access to financing to ensure that African countries and entrepreneurs can lead in shaping their digital futures.
“Stories matter.” And at the 2025 Africa Summit, it was clear that Africans are not waiting for permission to tell their own, they are already telling them, with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Through candid dialogue, the summit reaffirmed that Africa is not a passive subject of global change but an active shaper of it.
