The African Youth Awards (AJA) will return to Dakar in 2025, with an edition focused on tech and digital sovereignty. The announcement was made by Ms. Diara Ndiaye, co-founder of the AJA, and Mr. Sahid Yallou, Managing Director of Ecobank Senegal, on the sidelines of a joint press conference held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Ecobank Senegal's headquarters in Dakar. This second edition, themed "Tech and Sovereignty: An Autonomous and Competitive Africa," has Malian artist Oumou Sangaré as its patron and Paul-Harry Aithnard, Regional Director of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, as its patron. Their mission remains clear: to highlight young people who are innovating, taking initiative, and sustainably transforming the continent.

A pan-African project that recognizes young leaders aged 15 to 39 each year.

During this direct exchange meeting with journalists, Ms. Ndiaye, co-founder of AJA; Mr. Sahid Yallou, Managing Director of Ecobank Senegal; and Mr. Omar Cissé, founder and Managing Director of InTouch, discussed the orientations, ambitions and key partners of this second edition, in order to enable media professionals to understand the issues, innovations and prospects of this pan-African project.

Each year, the African Youth Awards (AJA) recognize young leaders aged 15 to 39 whose initiatives are advancing entrepreneurship, education, sports, culture, digital technology, the environment, or health. “Much more than just an awards ceremony, the AJA have become a pan-African accelerator, combining mentorship, skills-based volunteering, and tailored strategic support to amplify the impact of the selected projects,” emphasized Ms. Diara Ndiaye, co-founder of the AJA.

Objective: "to identify the talents that are transforming Africa"

This is an ambitious pan-African initiative, designed as a powerful lever for young people. Its objective is to identify the talents that are transforming Africa, to promote them to decision-makers, and to support them on their path with concrete tools and strategic visibility.

This 2025 edition is based on a strong alliance between committed institutions and businesses. Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire and Ecobank Senegal, the official co-hosts (co-organizers), embody, through their respective Managing Directors, Mr. Paul-Harry Aithnard and Mr. Sahid Yallou, the vision of inclusive pan-African finance serving young talent and local entrepreneurship. InTouch, as the official sponsor of this second edition, driven by the vision of its founder and CEO, Mr. Omar Cissé, is fully committed to this dynamic, accelerating digital innovation and boosting the growth of the African technology ecosystem. These two institutions share the same conviction: "Investing in African youth entrepreneurship is investing in the continent's competitiveness."

5 winners selected after a rigorous selection process

According to Ms. Diara Ndiaye, the 2025 edition of the AJA (Young African Players Awards), which ran from September 30 to October 30, received nearly 3,000 applications from 22 countries and the diaspora, 37% of which were from women. West Africa accounted for 48% of the applications, Central Africa 41%, East Africa 5%, the Maghreb 1%, and the diaspora 1%.

Following an "extremely rigorous" selection process, the jury chose the five best projects that embody a bold and visionary Africa. These are: Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Dieng from Senegal, who is digitizing athletic performance with SamaCoach; Sophonie Foka from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who is transforming neonatal healthcare with hybrid and solar-powered quantum incubators; Djakaridja Bamba from Côte d'Ivoire, who is strengthening the leadership of rural girls through the Amazones d'Abolikro; Kouebatouka Divin Arnaud from Congo-Brazzaville, who is reducing post-harvest losses with MVUTU, a smart, green cold chain; and finally, Rokiatou Traoré from Mali, who is restoring degraded land and empowering women with Herou Alliance. These winners, each of whom will benefit from tailored support, are joining the AJA Alumni community, a pan-African network that amplifies ideas into lasting impact.

These five winners will receive their awards at an event scheduled for November 27, 28, and 29, 2025, in Dakar. This is part of the AJA 2025 program, which includes an ambassadors' cocktail reception, AJA Talks & Pitch sessions, a gala dinner at the African Renaissance Monument, AJA Move, AJA Taste featuring a menu by Chef Abdou, and AJA Media Lab in partnership with EJICOM. Three days to celebrate those who are inventing, inspiring, and embodying a more autonomous, creative, and competitive Africa.

It's worth remembering that the AJA program, since its inception, has enabled young Africans to transform recognition into a genuine springboard. Buur Logistics, Andakia, Jangalma, and Mayegue are among the success stories that emerged from the program: companies that raise funds, expand beyond borders, and attract the attention of major investors while continuing their growth.