Applications are now open for talented African entrepreneurs under the age of 40 to join the Bureau of Representatives (BoR) of the Afrikan Youth Business Council (AfYBC), the continental body for young individual entrepreneurs and youth-led private sector entities, institutions and associations.

The African Youth Business Council (AfYBC) seeks to be the continental peak body for young individual entrepreneurs and youth-led private sector entities, institutions and associations, becoming a collective voice and agency working towards a youth-friendly business policy environment, with the aim of making the AfCFTA Promise to African youth a reality. The AfYBC therefore seeks to leverage the entrepreneurial ingenuity of Africa's youth to boost cross-border trade in goods and services and make young people crucial players and contributors to the continent's socio-economic transformation. Among other things, AfYBC will promote the participation of young entrepreneurs in the continental economy, especially within AfCFTA frameworks and processes, by pushing for the removal of key inhibitors such as lack of access to finance, lack of entrepreneurial skills and capacities, inadequate sensitisation and prohibitive policies and practices against the free movement of people, goods, services, skills and talents. By promoting the inclusion of young entrepreneurs in all sectors of the economy and at all levels, the AfYBC will initiate the increase in commercially significant youth-led economic activity, productivity, poverty reduction and inequalities that are crucial to the realisation of a peaceful and prosperous Africa, as enshrined in Agenda 2063.

ELIGIBILITY

• Being a young African entrepreneur/entrepreneur (male or female)
• Have a registered, functional and verifiable business entity operating in any of the 55 Member States of the African Union.
• Be under forty (40) years old in March 2024.
• Be able to sponsor personal travel to attend Council meetings and represent the Council at engagements across the continent.
• Be able to contribute their knowledge, expertise and experience as entrepreneurs to the growth and development of the Council.
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to the spirit of Africa's economic integration.
• Ability to socialise and work with people from different social backgrounds

DEADLINE:  14th April 2024

To apply and find out more, sign up here.