MONROVIA – The Youth International Leadership Institute (YIL-Network), Inc. is set to host the highly anticipated Ignite Africa Conference 2.0 in Monrovia, Liberia, from February 8-14, 2026, with the theme “Leveraging Meaningful Youth Engagement for Advancing Sustainable Continental Development.” The conference aims to boost leadership, innovation, and collaboration among African youth, aligning with Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Analyst reports.
The Youth International Leadership Institute (YIL-Network), Inc., has announced major updates and preparations for the highly anticipated Ignite Africa Conference 2.0, scheduled to take place from February 8-14, 2026, in Monrovia.
According to Amb. Francis Masaline, Founder and CEO of YIL-Network, the conference is “more than a high-level gathering,” but a continental accelerator for youth transformation designed to boost leadership, innovation, collaboration, and progress toward Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2026 edition will run under the theme, “Leveraging Meaningful Youth Engagement for Advancing Sustainable Continental Development.”
Amb. Masaline revealed that preparations for the conference are “advancing remarkably well,” with multiple partnerships already sealed or in advanced stages, including Afrinova Group Company Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, UN Women Liberia, iEARN Liberia, International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council (IIPCC), and Girls and Children’s Foundation Liberia.
The conference has confirmed several high-profile speakers, including Hon. Patrick Michaelson Gibrilla, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone; Dr. Nourah Aly Farouk, award-winning social entrepreneur and physician; Mr. Adama Kiatamba Dempster, human rights advocate and civil society leader; Hon. Clarence H. Cole, Deputy Director General, Liberia Intellectual Property Office; and Amb. Teghen Victor T., Founder & Executive Director, ALLIED Africa.
The week-long event will feature three core components: Ignite Entrepreneurship & Startup Bootcamp, Ignite Africa Leadership & Governance Forum, and Continental Youth Sustainability & Community Impact Day.
Amb. Masaline called on governments, development partners, private institutions, universities, and youth networks across Africa to support the movement and mobilize delegates, saying, “Ignite Africa Conference 2.0 is not just an event, it is the awakening of a united African youth movement… the rewriting of Africa’s future by its own sons and daughters.”
The Youth International Leadership Institute (YIL-Network), Inc., through its Founder and CEO Amb. Francis Masaline, has officially announced major updates and preparations for the highly anticipated Ignite Africa Conference 2.0, scheduled to take place from February 8–14, 2026, in Monrovia.
The announcement was made through an official statement on behalf of the Conference Secretariat, highlighting the event’s growing influence as one of the continent’s most ambitious youth-centered leadership and innovation platforms
According to Amb. Masaline, the Ignite Africa Conference is “more than a high-level gathering,” describing it as a continental accelerator for youth transformation designed to boost leadership, innovation, collaboration, and progress toward Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
He emphasized that Africa remains the youngest continent—over 60% of its people are under 25—and that this demographic advantage demands platforms that “convert potential into power.”
The 2026 edition will run under the theme: “Leveraging Meaningful Youth Engagement for Advancing Sustainable Continental Development.”
Amb. Masaline said the theme is a bold call to move youth from the margins into real decision-making spaces across Africa.
In the statement, Amb. Masaline revealed that preparations for the conference are “advancing remarkably well,” with multiple partnerships already sealed or in advanced stages.
These include: Ethiopian Airlines – 15% travel discount for international delegates; UN Women Liberia – gender empowerment and inclusive leadership programming; iEARN Liberia — youth education and digital exchange; International Intellectual Property Commercialization Council (IIPCC), Cameroon Chapter – innovation and IP development; Girls and Children’s Foundation Liberia – child protection and community development
He also noted that these collaborations reflect growing trust in the vision behind Ignite Africa 2.0.
The conference has already confirmed several high-profile speakers, with more expected. Some of those highlighted include: Hon. Patrick Michaelson Gibrilla, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone; Dr. Nourah Aly Farouk (Egypt), award-winning social entrepreneur and physician; Mr. Adama Kiatamba Dempster (Liberia), human rights advocate and civil society leader; Hon. Clarence H. Cole (Liberia), Deputy Director General, Liberia Intellectual Property Office; Amb. Teghen Victor T. (USA) — Founder & Executive Director, ALLIED Africa.
Amb. Masaline said the lineup represents the kind of leadership shaping Africa’s next chapter.
The week-long event will feature three core components: Ignite Entrepreneurship & Startup Bootcamp; Focus on AfCFTA, digital innovation, industrialization, and business acceleration.
Ignite Africa Leadership & Governance Forum includes AU and UN-centered dialogues, climate action, peacebuilding, gender advocacy, and research presentations.
Continental Youth Sustainability & Community Impact Day, featuring a national beach cleanup and climate awareness drive across Monrovia.
Amb. Masaline used the statement to call on governments, development partners, private institutions, universities, and youth networks across Africa to support the movement and mobilize delegates.
“Ignite Africa Conference 2.0 is not just an event,” he said. “It is the awakening of a united African youth movement… the rewriting of Africa’s future by its own sons and daughters.”
He added that Africa’s rising future “will be shaped not by chance, but by the leadership capacity we build today.”