In a world of rapid transformation, a quiet yet powerful revolution is taking root across Africa. It is a movement powered by faith, driven by youthful passion, and anchored in a profound commitment to spreading the Catholic faith and serving communities. For too long, the narrative of Africa has been dominated by stories of war, conflict, poverty, unemployment, and unrest. But amidst these portrayals, a new reality is emerging, one of faith, hope and renewal. Young African Catholics are rising with purpose, breaking free from the margins of Church life. No longer content to watch from the sidelines, they are becoming visionaries, project leaders, advocates, and builders of a vibrant future. These young people are reimagining what it means to live out their faith. With boldness, creativity and innovation, they are opening up new horizons, reshaping the spiritual and social landscape of the Catholic Church across the continent. Their energy, creativity, and deep conviction are lighting the way for a new era of faith in Africa.
Recent observations have shown a remarkable shift within the Catholic Church across Africa, with young people stepping into leadership roles, creatively addressing local needs through innovative programmes. This drive reflects a profound understanding of the interplay between faith and community, manifesting in vibrant initiatives that range from faith building to community service, entrepreneurship, charitable and social justice advocacy. I owe this transformation to the loving memory of Pope Francis, who initiated a virtual dialogue with the young people in Africa in November 2022 on the prospects and constraints they encounter in utilising digital media to communicate their faith and build bridges of faith across Africa and beyond. Since this took place, the face of this populated, vibrant segment of the church has taken a new look. The African youth are no longer passive about their faith and community’s development; they participate in creative and innovative programmes daily to tell their stories via online and offline platforms. The good news is that young Africans are now redefining their lot and taking leadership roles both in the Church and society.
Besides, I would like to acknowledge the efforts and initiative of the executives of the Pan-African Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN), in partnership with various agencies, for creating a platform where young people in Africa can have a voice and take up leadership roles. Indeed, today’s youth are no longer considered future leaders but rather leaders of today. They are now tagged as the ‘Church of Now.’ Part of the programmes to actualise this was the introduction of the African Faith Influencers Academy, in which more than 100 Catholic young people from various regions of Africa were trained to become faith influencers between 2023 and 2024. Stanislas Kambashi, SJ, reported that the training:
Providing young Africans with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively use digital platforms to spread the faith and the word of God” is the objective of a six-month online training course, which will bring together more than 100 young people from 52 African countries. Seven course modules have been organised by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network, in partnership with several institutions, including the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication (Vatican News, 12th February, 2024).
This grand training equipped these young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make meaningful contributions to the church and society. They also learnt how to foster transformational leadership geared toward service, nurtured spiritual maturity for personal and community development, deepened discipleship, highlighted the Church as a family of God, and were guided on how to put their faith into action through hands-on digital influencer projects.
Clear examples of youth-led initiatives within faith communities reveal how young Catholics are driving a transformative shift in African Catholicism. Through skills gained in training and entrepreneurship, these emerging leaders are not only shaping their own futures now but are also empowering their communities to embrace self-reliance, purpose, and faith-filled actions. For instance:
Malawi: Weaving Faith into Livelihood
In Malawi, youth leaders Vincent Haleke, Leonard Josaya, and Miliam Kayange are integrating spiritual conviction with economic empowerment. Through initiatives such as digital evangelisation, beading workshops, and vocational training for youth with disabilities, they are nurturing a generation that both believes and builds. Despite limited materials and transportation hurdles, they mobilised local resources, proving that where there is faith, there is always a way.
South Sudan: Raising Voices for Mental Health
Marko Nyoro’s Youth Empowerment and Awareness Initiative in South Sudan placed youth mental health at its heart. With community venues and faith leaders lending their support, the team facilitated awareness sessions addressing suicide, forced marriage, and substance abuse. The result? Over 20 young people not only heard but also were heard loud and clear.
Burkina Faso: Faith on the Digital Airwaves
A team led by Nana Wend Gilbert, Lazare Combary, Marie Constance Yameogo, and Bindré Roger Dayamba launched a Christian digital broadcast platform to echo peace and purpose. Their faith and citizenship conference welcomed 35 youth, while their training programme empowered displaced women with fabric dyeing and entrepreneurship skills. When they experienced some delays in their activities, they adapted, thus innovating not just in action but in spirit.
Kenya: Building Hubs, Healing Homes
In Kenya, a dynamic team of six young leaders launched a bold, multidimensional effort to equip families of children with disabilities, promote substance abuse prevention, and invest in youth leadership. With a vibrant youth hub now serving over 120 youth, online faith broadcasts reaching hundreds, and a parish-endorsed outreach plan ready to scale, their message is clear: our communities matter, and so do we.
Nigeria: Planting Seeds of Healing and Harvest
Faith and mental health advocacy found fertile ground in Nigeria. Project leaders, Joy Ajayi, Marthina Mlumun Akighir, Ihuoma Celestine, and Emeka Onah launched social media campaigns, connected with persons with special needs, and initiated a watermelon farming project that fused environmental care with evangelisation. Their response to logistical delays was rooted in resilience and love for those they serve.
Sierra Leone: Recycling Hope
Samuel Eugene Kamara redefined creation care with a Christian approach to waste management. Through the “Empowering Youth Through Recycling” initiative, young people participated in vocational workshops and community consultations, turning trash into testimony and waste into witness.
Benin Republic: Coding Faith
Camille Agbéva introduced “Roads of Faith,” a digital Catholic education platform, in Benin. With early-stage prototypes and stakeholder collaboration already underway, the project lays the digital groundwork for a new frontier in catechesis.
Togo: Bridging Generations
In Togo, Adjo Claudia’s “Growth Bridge” project is crafting faith-based content and galvanising diocesan collaborations. By drawing together diverse voices and tracking digital engagement, this initiative reminds us that the Church’s future depends on its willingness to listen and adapt to the current and next generations.
Of course, these youth-led initiatives are reshaping individuals and communities and fostering a renewed understanding of the Church’s mission within the African context. They highlight the unique ability of young people to interpret their faith through the lens of contemporary challenges, bridging generational divides and influencing older parishioners by showcasing practical applications of their beliefs. Additionally, these initiatives speak to the importance of listening to the voices of the youth in discussions about their faith and church leadership. The Catholic Church, rooted in tradition, is often perceived as slow to adapt. However, the active involvement of young people brings fresh energy and innovative perspectives that can enrich church dialogues.
With the rise of youth-led initiatives in faith communities, a powerful narrative is unfolding. The aspirations, talents, and resilience of young African Catholics are becoming the heartbeat of a transformative church movement. By addressing local needs through community service and social justice, these African youths are enriching their parishes and redefining what it means to live out their faith in today’s world.
As we continue to explore these dynamics in the column “Young Faith, New Horizons,” it becomes increasingly clear that the Church’s future is not merely in the hands of its elders but in the spirited creativity and dedication of its younger members. Their contributions herald the dawn of a new chapter in African Catholicism that promises hope, innovation, and a profound commitment to the values of the Gospel. Their faith, discipline, and desire for a just and compassionate world illuminate the path forward.
It is my greatest desire to see these young people keep up with their grand and overwhelming projects, liberate more people in society, and continue to build bridges of faith across Africa and beyond so that more African young people can continue to create new pathways, which are the new signs of hope that will bring them to where God wants them to be. Of course, it is our collective effort to build a continent where our young people can dream tall and achieve their goals in life.
