In December, YALI staff from the four RLCs gathered in Nairobi, Kenya for the 2023 YALI Learning Summit at Kenyatta University. Under the theme, “Taking Stock of Harmonization and Laying Out Strategies for Accelerating Impact”, the RLC participants worked together to meet the event’s objectives, including:
- Assessing the progress of the YALI harmonization vision and implementation process
- Drawing lessons, building on success, and addressing concerns from the RLCs regarding the harmonization vision and implementation process
- Sharing good practices from the RLCs
- Strategizing on how to accelerate the YALI alumni visibility and impact.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Arts and Sports opened the event, which also included USAID Deputy Mission Director for Kenya/East Africa Sheila Roquitte, Government of Kenya officials, Kenyatta University administrators, and YALI alumni from across the continent.
The event highlighted lessons learned from the 2022 Learning Summit, and building strategies for the new YALI Legacy Localization activity. Those strategies are focused on better coordination of recruitment, admissions, curriculum, communications, and increased opportunities for young African leaders across the continent in an African-led approach.
YALI partners and alumni provided their perspectives on accelerating impact including the opportunities and challenges they face working with the program. The event also focused on the progress already underway towards harmonization and cross-functional collaboration within the four YALI RLCs.
In addition, Summit participants visited several alumni sites throughout Kenya including:
Mega Gas Enterprises Ltd. (Founded by Peter Njeri - 2016 YALI East Africa Graduate)
Mtoto News Initiative (Founded by Jennifer Kaberi - 2015 YALI East Africa Graduate)
Gates of Hope Family Medicare Centre Ltd (Hosted by Dismus Masheti - 2019 YALI East Africa Graduate)
Jake Megatech (Hosted by Jilian Kerubo, Women in Africa Power Cohort 1)
Bold Impact Africa (Founded by Simon Nyaga - 2020 YALI East Africa Graduate)
Stawi Foods (Founded by Eric Muthomi - 2015 YALI East Africa Graduate)
If you are interested in visiting alumni work sites in your country, please drop a note to the USAID YALI email address at: africanleaders@usaid.gov.
The Summit concluded with action planning for the upcoming year based on the week’s learning and discussions. Our thanks to the East Africa RLC for hosting the 2023 Learning Summit.
