African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Youth Policy Lab 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Are you between 18 and 35 years old, passionate about creating impactful policies, and eager to translate ideas into action? The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) invites you to register for the first-ever ACET Youth Policy Lab 2025. This immersive experience blends the creativity of a hackathon with the rigor of policy design, offering you the opportunity to step into the shoes of decision-makers and devise evidence-based governance solutions. Here's everything you need to know!
🎓 Program Summary
Location: Virtual / Pan-African (online participation)
Host Institution: African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)
Level: Open to youth aged 18–35 (final-year students, graduates, early professionals)
Target Group: Young Africans with interest in policy, innovation, and leadership
Fields of Focus: Policy analysis, governance, innovation, leadership
Value:
Winning team: US$100 gift voucher per person, a meeting with the ACET President, internship, paper publication, event features
2nd place: US$70 voucher per person
3rd place: US$50 voucher per person
All finalists: Certificate of participation and YES Ambassador title
Duration / Commitment: Approximately 6–8 weeks; virtual mentorship and teamwork, plus pitch event on November 5, 2025
Application Deadline: September 12, 2025
Start Date / Key Events:
Application Window: August 12 – September 12, 2025
Team Onboarding: September 15 – September 30, 2025
Mentorship & Teamwork: mid-September to October 31, 2025
Pitch Event: November 5, 2025
Eligible To: Young African citizens (many countries specified, including Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Niger)
🌍 Program Overview
The ACET Youth Policy Lab is a dynamic, virtual policy simulation that empowers young Africans to:
Work in teams of three to address real-world policy challenges under a thematic focus
Engage in a hackathon-style collaboration—from research to problem-solving to policy drafting
Receive guidance from dedicated mentors throughout the process
Craft a 3-page policy proposal that includes strategy, budget planning, co-financing ideas, and risk mitigation
Pitch their proposal to expert judges in a live virtual event scheduled for November 5, 2025
This is not just an idea contest—it’s a transformative leadership and policy-design platform aimed at uplifting youth voices and driving sustainable solutions across African governance landscapes.
🎁 Program Benefits
Participants stand to gain:
Hands-on policymaking experience in a simulated decision-making environment
Enhanced leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills
Exposure to policymaking processes, including drafting, budgeting, and pitching policy proposals
Mentorship from experienced policymakers and experts
Resume enhancement: intern opportunities at ACET, publication potential, and event exposure
Inclusion in the YES Ambassador Program, enabling long-term engagement through policy roundtables and ACET's growing youth network
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply for ACET Youth Policy Lab 2025, you must:
Be aged between 18 and 35 years
Be a young African citizen, ideally from one of the listed participating countries
Be interested in policy, governance, innovation, and leadership—even without formal policymaking experience
Commit to 4–6 hours per week for team engagement, policy writing, and coaching
Be fluent in English or French
📝 Application Procedure
To apply:
Complete the online application form between August 12 and September 12, 2025
Provide motivation and experience relevant to policy innovation and leadership
Ensure timely submission before the deadline
Successful applicants proceed to team formation and mentorship phases, leading to the virtual pitch on November 5, 2025.
💡 Extra Information & Tips
Apply early. Though the deadline is September 12, 2025, submitting early may give you better chances and time to prepare.
Emphasize originality. Your proposal should reflect authentic thinking and practical relevance.
Prepare for virtual teamwork. You’ll collaborate intensively with a team—strong communication and online coordination skills matter.
Use the Lab to build your brand. Even being a finalist brings recognition, network access, and potential policy influence.
Be open to growth. Mentorship and the Ambassador Program can be long-term gateways to influence and impact.
If you’re ready to hone your policy-making chops, pitch solutions, and join a growing network of youth leaders, apply before September 12, 2025, and be part of shaping Africa's policy future.
