The 2025 Kigali Youth Forum, held as part of the Giants of Africa Festival, convened over 2,000 young leaders from 20 African countries for a transformative gathering centered on leadership, entrepreneurship, gender equity, and youth empowerment.
The high-energy forum, organized in partnership with Giants of Africa, the Imbuto Foundation, ALX, and Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and Arts, provided participants with access to mentorship, leadership workshops, and career-oriented discussions. Cultural performances and sports sessions were also integrated to foster confidence, teamwork, and essential life skills.
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Masai Ujiri, President of the Toronto Raptors and founder of Giants of Africa, underscored the need to invest in Africa’s youth beyond sports.
“This is about creating leaders in sports, in business, and in society,” Ujiri said. “Opportunities must be available for all, and that includes ensuring young women have equal access and visibility.”
In a strong show of gender inclusion, girls participated equally in all activities from sports courts to leadership panels reinforcing the forum’s commitment to equity.
The event reaffirmed Kigali’s reputation as a rising hub for youth-led transformation across the continent, linking the influence of sport, education, and innovation to Africa’s broader development agenda.
