World Scouting and Ashoka East Africa forge transformative partnership

World Scouting Africa Support Centre and Ashoka East Africa reaffirmed their shared commitment to youth empowerment on 14 November 2025 by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration focused on nurturing young changemakers across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Ashoka, the world’s leading network of social entrepreneurs with 4,000+ Fellows, equips young people to address challenges in education, health, environment, gender equity and community development. This aligns closely with World Scouting’s mission to develop lifelong skills and empower young people as agents of positive change. 

The ceremony brought together senior representatives from both organisations, Ashoka fellows and senior sector leaders from across Africa , underscoring a shared vision to equip young people with the skills, mindset, and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 

“This partnership strengthens our collective mission to prepare young Africans to lead with empathy, creativity, and courage,” said Frederick Tutu Kama-Kama, the Regional Director, Africa. "Together, we aim to expand opportunities for youth leadership and social innovation, ensuring that millions of young people are empowered to shape the future of their communities,”  said Vincet Otieno Odhiambo, Ashoka East Africa Regional Director.

Building on the long-standing commitments to non-formal education and social innovation, the new partnership will focus on co-developing initiatives that strengthen youth leadership across the continent. Through the MoU, both organisations will engage in collaborative programme design, technical cooperation, and joint advocacy to promote an enabling environment for youth-led change. 

This strategic alignment positions both organisations as regional leaders in accelerating youth development and scaling innovative approaches that empower young people to become proactive citizens and changemakers.

The event concluded with a ceremonial signing, marking a significant milestone in youth empowerment in Africa. By combining the vast reach of Scouting in Africa, which spans over 10million, with Ashoka’s expertise in social innovation, the partnership aims to inspire and equip millions of young people to contribute actively to sustainable development and positive change across the region.

Together, World Scouting Africa and Ashoka East Africa will champion a generation of young Africans who are not only prepared for life, but ready to lead change.