Madagascar hosts vibrant and colourful 15th Africa Scout Day celebration
From 12 to 15 March, Antananarivo, Madagascar, came alive as Scouts from 20 African nations, alongside representatives from France, gathered to celebrate Africa Scout Day. Held every year on 13 March, this special day was established in 1995 by the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) to honour Scouting’s transformative role in empowering youth and driving community development across the continent. The 2024 celebrations, hosted by Madagascar, marked the 15th edition of this regional event, following the previous year’s festivities in Burundi.
Vibrant festivities kicked off with an opening ceremony led by Hon. Abdoulah Marson Moustapha, Madagascar’s Minister of Youth and Sports, and attended by dignitaries including the Ambassador of Comoros to Madagascar, members of the Africa Scout Committee, and the Regional Director of World Scouting’s Africa Region. In his opening address, Africa Scout Committee Chairman Kiranga reminded attendees that “Africa Scout Day is not just a celebration but a reminder of Scouting’s power to shape young leaders and build resilient communities. Today, we honour this legacy and re-commit to preparing young people for life.”
The four-day event was packed with activities, from a three-day camp at CNAPS Vontovorona to an environmental summit focused on sustainable development, Safe from Harm training, and an exhibition showcasing the contributions of Scouts to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Africa Scout Committee, the governing board of Scouting in Africa, met to set the stage for future initiatives.
The celebrations culminated on 15 March at Parvis Analakely, highlighted by an inspiring speech from the mayor of Antananarivo, Harilala Ramanantsoa. She praised Scouting’s impact on youth development and pledged her support for the upcoming 19th Africa Scout Conference, set to take place in Madagascar in September 2025.
UNICEF Madagascar also voiced its commitment to partnering with the Scout Movement, emphasising shared goals in youth empowerment and community development. The event hit a high point during Hon. Moustapha’s closing remarks, where he announced plans to recognise Scouting in Madagascar through an Act of Parliament, a historic move that would formalise Scouting’s role as a key driver of youth development in Madagascar.
The festivities closed with a dinner hosted by Mayor Ramanantsoa, honouring the Africa Scout Foundation (ASF). ASF Chair Jemima Nartey thanked supporters for enabling life-changing initiatives, from health and environment programmes to leadership training, and announced new sign-ups to the foundation, signalling growing confidence in Scouting’s impact. With strengthened partnerships and renewed energy, the ASF is poised to expand its reach, ensuring Scouting remains a beacon of hope for Africa’s youth.
As Madagascar prepares to host the 10th Africa Scout Youth Forum and the 19th Africa Scout Conference in September, the success of the 15th Africa Scout Day has set a high bar. These events, expected to draw over 200 Scouts from 42 countries, will further cement Scouting’s role in shaping the continent’s future. The celebrations in Antananarivo not only showcased the unity and vibrancy of African Scouting but also reaffirmed its enduring mission: to prepare young people to be ready life.