Y-ACT Youth In Action

Y-ACT Youth In Action Y-ACT, Youth in Action, was formed at Amref Health Africa by a group of young innovators in 2017 to address challenges prioritized by the youth.

We have become one of the region’s most influential youth-led movements. An initiative by Amref Health Africa and the Advocacy Accelerator, Y-ACT aims to mentor, support and increase the capacity of youth advocates .

What happens when young people lead accountability for Africa’s health agenda? 🌍They ask the hard questions.They bring t...
03/09/2026

What happens when young people lead accountability for Africa’s health agenda? 🌍

They ask the hard questions.
They bring the evidence.
They track commitments.
And they push for action.

That was at the heart of Y-ACT’s engagement on Day 1 of the inaugural PAYCON Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. With over 100 delegates from government, academia, health, civil society, research and universities, PAYCON is creating space to explore how Africa can advance health and youth empowerment under Agenda 2063. Y-ACT’s Lilian Wambui joined UNFPA, AfriYAN and the African Union Commission for a powerful conversation on “Accountability for Every Choice: Young People Leading Africa’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Agenda.”

Lilian highlighted Y-ACT’s work on youth-led social accountability for SRHR and how digital tools can help young people monitor health commitments, generate evidence and demand action. One message stood out: young people need more than a seat at the table. They need meaningful opportunities, resources and support to lead. That means development partners and decision-makers working alongside young people, while young people continue to build movements, break silos and innovate across borders.

Because when young people can influence the decisions that shape their health and futures, accountability becomes stronger. ✊🏾

SocialAccountability

Is the to***co industry adapting faster than public health policy?Join SSDP International for an important discussion on...
31/08/2026

Is the to***co industry adapting faster than public health policy?

Join SSDP International for an important discussion on emerging ni****ne products, disposable vapes, ni****ne pouches, digital marketing tactics, and how to***co products, va**ng products and alcohol are positioned within the National Drug Master Plan and broader substance use conversations.

The session will be moderated by Charity Monareng from Students for Sensible Drug Policy International, with Nomcebo Dlamini from the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance as the guest speaker.

Date: 10 September 2026
Time: 18:00 – 19:30 SAST
Platform: Zoom

Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Js33IlrFQSqQBH8CdnLiKw

Be part of the conversation as we unpack how public health policy can respond to the changing to***co and ni****ne landscape!


***cocontrol

Different contexts. Common aspirations. Young people may come from different places and navigate very different realitie...
12/08/2026

Different contexts. Common aspirations.

Young people may come from different places and navigate very different realities, but across the world, they share many of the same hopes: to be heard, to have opportunities, to live with dignity and to shape the future.

This , we celebrate the diversity of young people and the aspirations that connect them across it. Young people are already creating change in their communities, influencing decisions and building the futures they want. Their contexts may differ. Their aspirations bring them together.

Happy ! ✨

What does meaningful youth engagement look like in practice? For Y-ACT, it means creating space for young leaders to hel...
03/08/2026

What does meaningful youth engagement look like in practice? For Y-ACT, it means creating space for young leaders to help shape our priorities, programmes and advocacy. Applications are now open for the Y-ACT Regional Youth Steering Committee (YSC) 2026-2028. We're looking for six young leaders from across Africa and the African Diaspora with experience in youth engagement, advocacy, policy, research or programme leadership to join the next cohort.

If you're between 18 and 35 years old and ready to contribute to a continental advisory body, we'd love to hear from you.

🗓 Applications close on 31 August 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT.
🔗 Apply here: https://yactmovement.org/opportunities/

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Share this opportunity with them.

This Africa's Women's Day, we're celebrating the women driving to***co control efforts across the continent, from shapin...
29/07/2026

This Africa's Women's Day, we're celebrating the women driving to***co control efforts across the continent, from shaping policy to mobilizing communities to advancing research that protects public health.

Join us for a conversation on their leadership and what it will take to keep building collective action against to***co industry interference in Africa.

The conversation will feature Winnie Olwal, Acting Director, Y-Act | Amref Health Africa , in discussion with other leaders in to***co control across the continent.

📅 6 August 2026
🕒 3:00 PM EAT | 12:00 PM GMT

👉 Register here: https://atca-africa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7rbwaMASRK6LEQ9XonOgbg #/registration

***coControl

Day 2 at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!Today, we led a session on Youth Leadership in Advancing Alternative Liveli...
22/07/2026

Day 2 at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!

Today, we led a session on Youth Leadership in Advancing Alternative Livelihoods and To***co-Free Farms, bringing together young leaders and partners to explore how to***co control, sustainable livelihoods and climate action are deeply connected.

Ending the to***co epidemic requires more than reducing demand. It also means creating viable alternatives for communities whose livelihoods depend on to***co.

Together, we explored how young people can drive this transition through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable enterprises and stronger food systems. We also highlighted the need for greater investment in the resources, opportunities and decision making spaces that enable young people to lead lasting change.

When young people lead, healthier communities, resilient livelihoods and to***co-free futures become possible.

***coFreeFarms ***coControl

📸 Day One at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!A day of learning, collaboration and exchanging ideas with young leader...
21/07/2026

📸 Day One at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!

A day of learning, collaboration and exchanging ideas with young leaders from across Southern Africa on strengthening climate resilience, food security and sustainable development. Y-ACT is proud to join our regional implementing partner, SAYOF, in these important conversations, reinforcing the role of young people in shaping solutions and influencing action across the region. More highlights to come.

YouthVoices

📸 Day One at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!A day of learning, collaboration and exchanging ideas with young leader...
21/07/2026

📸 Day One at the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!

A day of learning, collaboration and exchanging ideas with young leaders from across Southern Africa on strengthening climate resilience, food security and sustainable development. Y-ACT is proud to join our regional implementing partner, SAYOF, in these important conversations, reinforcing the role of young people in shaping solutions and influencing action across the region. More highlights to come.

21/07/2026

🎤 Voices from the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum!

Hear from Pirosca Mvanda, as she share highlights from the forum, the conversations shaping the agenda, and why this regional platform matters for young people across Southern Africa.

From climate action and food security to youth leadership and collaboration, the forum is creating space for young people to influence solutions that will shape a more sustainable future.

21/07/2026

📍 We're live from the 8th Southern Africa Youth Forum in South Africa!

Our Acting Director, Winnie, officially opened Y-ACT's participation with remarks highlighting the power of youth leadership, collaboration and meaningful partnerships.

As SAYOF, our regional implementing partner for the To***co Control project, convenes young leaders from across Southern Africa, we're proud to contribute to conversations that connect health, climate action, food security and sustainable development.

Together, we're strengthening partnerships and creating more opportunities for young people to shape the decisions and policies that affect their futures.

***coControl

Address

27691-00500
Nairobi West
27691-00500

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+254 (2O) 699 3000

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