Luanda — The chairman and founder of the Namibian Popya Assistance Foundation, Leonard Akathingo, on Monday in Luanda defended the strengthening of partnerships and multilateral cooperation between African states for the continent's development.
Speaking to ANGOP at the Pan-African Youth Summit 2025, he stated that African countries should focus on solving the continent's problems and create platforms with the aim of implementing and strengthening partnerships in various sectors that facilitate development and economic growth.
"What I'm doing in Namibia can work well in Kenya and vice versa. As young Africans, we need to discuss viable solutions for Africa", he emphasized.
Leonard Akathingo, who is also a mental health activist, added that Africa should focus on developing its resources by investing in areas such as agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), as well as science.
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"Africa is blessed with a diverse and beautiful culture, with similarities between the languages of different countries", he emphasized.
Carlos João Lourenço, a member of the Angolan Student Movement (MEA), said that multilateral diplomacy must take concrete steps to ensure the free movement of goods within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
"Angola imports several products from non-African countries, which has been very expensive. If we can import and export from neighboring countries Zambia, Namibia, etc., it could be cheaper and still create employment opportunities for the countries", he added.
He noted that the African continent is currently awakening, with young people increasingly participating in the development of their countries.
In turn, the special adviser to the governor of Imo State of the Republic of Nigeria on Youth Affairs, Ambassador Eric Uwakwe, highlighted that through technology, young people can be effectively included in governance.
"Africa needs to start investing in young people, as they have great potential to be taken advantage of and discuss ideas on how to make this continent without border barriers to facilitate mobility from one country to another", he said.
He also stated that multilateral cooperation in Africa should involve diverse regional partnerships and promote sustainable development.
The event, whose motto is "Youth Promoting Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships", is part of the celebrations of International Youth Day, marked on August 12.
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It is organized by the Pan-African Youth Union, in partnership with the National Youth Council of Angola, and is supported by the Angolan government.
