The ONE Campaign today launches ONE Academy, a new pan-African learning and action platform designed to equip young Africans with the practical skills, networks and opportunities to advocate effectively and influence the decisions shaping their communities, countries and continent.
ONE Academy will combine accessible learning with practical opportunities for young people to apply what they learn. The ambition is not simply to teach advocacy, but to help young Africans move from learning to practice, from practice to action, and from action to influence.
Across Africa, young people are already speaking up, organising and demanding change. ONE’s 2026 youth advocacy survey across six African countries found a generation eager to play a greater role in shaping Africa’s future, while also identifying barriers that can make it difficult to translate that ambition into meaningful influence. Nearly 90% of the young people surveyed said they feel confident speaking up about issues they care about, but only 53% have ever participated in an advocacy activity.
“Africa’s young people do not lack ideas, ambition or a desire to shape the future. What is often missing is the infrastructure that helps turn energy, passion and ideas into sustained advocacy and meaningful influence,” said Serah Makka, Executive Director for Africa at The ONE Campaign. “ONE Academy is our investment in that infrastructure. We want young Africans to be able to understand an issue, know where decisions are made and where power sits, build a compelling case, mobilise others and advocate effectively for change. It is about giving a generation that is already ready to lead more of the tools, networks and opportunities to do so.”
Through ONE Academy, learners will develop practical advocacy skills, deepen their understanding of policy and decision-making, connect with peers and practitioners, and apply their learning to issues they care about. The Academy is designed for young Africans aged 18–35 and will grow into a community of advocates who can learn from one another, collaborate and put their skills into practice.
“Stronger systems matter, better policies matter and greater investment matters, but progress only lasts when there are people with knowledge, confidence and the persistence to carry it forward. ONE Academy is our investment in making that happen, in equipping a generation of African advocates and leaders to turn their voices into influence, and their influence into change”, said Ambassador Mark Green, President, The ONE Campaign.
ONE Academy is launching with Foundational Learning Advocacy as its first flagship course, initially focusing on Kenya and Senegal.
The first ONE Academy course will help young advocates understand the foundational learning challenge and equip them to make the case for the policies, investments and implementation needed to address it.
As the Academy grows with partner support, new courses, practical advocacy opportunities and networks will enable more young Africans across the continent to develop their voices, build their capacity and participate meaningfully in shaping public policy.