LEAP Africa targets Kenyan youth in 2026 expansion

LEAP Africa is now targeting to reach 10 million youths across all African countries.

by JANET ONYANGO

News21 October 2025 - 13:00

In Summary

The organization hosted a media roundtable to engage journalists and youth advocates in discussions on Kenya’s leadership and employment challenges.
Founded in 2002 in Nigeria, LEAP Africa has for more than two decades been at the forefront of addressing the youth leadership gap across the continent.

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***Executive Director Kehindi Ayani, Director of Programme and Partnership Amabelle Nwakanma, and a Journalist during a round table discussion on the impacts of LEAP.***

Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa, a leading pan-African non-profit organization, has announced plans to expand its youth empowerment initiatives to Kenya as part of its ongoing mission to nurture the next generation of African leaders.

The organization hosted a media roundtable on Wednesday, October 21, 2025, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi, to engage journalists and youth advocates in discussions on Kenya’s leadership and employment challenges.

Founded in 2002 in Nigeria, LEAP Africa has for more than two decades been at the forefront of addressing the youth leadership gap across the continent.

“Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism — we started out in Nigeria in 2002. For almost 24 years, the organization has been involved in investing in youth development,” said LEAP Executive Director Kehinde Ayeni.

*LEAP Executive Director Kehinde Ayeni speaking during an interview of Round Table event on the impacts of LEAP Africa.*

The organization currently operates in Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe and is preparing to launch its Kenyan chapter in the first quarter of 2026.

LEAP Africa’s work is guided by its 3Es + AH framework—Education, Entrepreneurship, Employability, Active Citizenship, and Health & Wellbeing—which equips young people with essential skills for personal growth and community transformation.

Through these focus areas, LEAP Africa has empowered thousands of young people to become agents of change, social innovators, and responsible leaders within their communities.

The Nairobi discussion centered on challenges facing Kenyan youth, including unemployment, limited access to opportunities, and low representation in decision-making spaces. Participants emphasized the need for sustainable interventions that promote youth-led innovation and active civic engagement.

“LEAP Africa’s approach goes beyond skills training—it’s about nurturing integrity, responsibility, and active citizenship among young people. We aim to create leaders who are not just job seekers but job creators, not just activists but nation-builders,” said Amabelle Nwakanma, LEAP Director of Programmes and Partnerships.

Through leadership bootcamps, employability training, digital learning, and health awareness initiatives, LEAP Africa plans to collaborate with schools, local organizations, and government agencies to create a lasting impact in Kenya.

“Our mission is to inspire and empower African youth by developing their capacity and providing resources for transformative personal, organizational, and community leadership,” added Kehinde Ayeni.

So far, the program has reached over 12 million indirect beneficiaries, equipped 51,786 young people with leadership and professional skills, trained 1,508 teachers, supported 6,004 entrepreneurs and businesses, and implemented 1,506 change projects across Africa.

Additionally, more than 7,000 undergraduate students have been engaged through its various initiatives.

LEAP Africa is now targeting to reach 10 million youths across all African countries.

The program was created to reduce unemployment, promote self-awareness, and equip young people with essential life and leadership skills needed to shape Africa’s future.