The Ten-year Development Plan for the Development of Scouting in Africa, which was adopted for implementation at the 11th Africa Scout Conference in September in Gabon, provides the impetus that will see a new revival of Scouting in Africa. It strategises on how Scouting will play its role in poverty reduction, fighting disease, protecting the environment but above all, developing young Africans, proud of their heritage, equipped and ready to play their role in the renaissance of the African continent.

The Plan also focuses on a growth strategy that will make Scouting accessible to more young people in Africa. This will involve increasing the number of member Associations in the region, as well as increasing the number of Scouts in each National Scout Association. Segments of the population that were hitherto not reached by Scouting due to factors such as geographical (distances and terrain), social factors (street children, slum dwellers), physical factors (persons with disabilities), will also be targeted.

The Scout Movement is targeting 60% of Africa's population, which is made up of young people below the age of 25 years. In Africa, Scouting is well established and liked by many. Given proper infrastructure, staffing and funding, Scouting would participate in providing solutions to most of the problems confronting young people today.

One of the most effective tools of reaching more young Africans with the Scouting message is the radio. This is because the radio in Africa remains the communication tool with the widest reach, compared to all other means of communication.

It is expected that the radio programmes will ultimately be aired on radio in 29 countries of Africa which are English speaking. These programmes will be heard by Scouts even in the most remote of villages through dry cell battery powered transistor radios. These programmes will also be heard by hundreds of thousands of non-scouts thus giving them a better understanding of Scouting and its role in the development of African society.

Currently, 32 English programmes 12 French programmes and 24 Kiswahili programmes are ready for broadcast.

Some countries such as Kenya, Nigeria (Benin City), and Swaziland are already broadcasing the programmes.

For more information about the Africa Scout Radio:

Listen to some of the programmes online :

On HIV-AIDS

Disease Progression - Counselling and Testing - Community Mobilisation

More programmes will be available soon