The Youth Charter has called on African governments, institutions, and development partners to invest in sport-led education models as a proven pathway to delivering quality education – the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – across the continent.
With Africa home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population, the Youth Charter warns that failure to invest in inclusive, community-based education risks deepening inequality, unemployment, and social instability on the continent.
“Sport is one of Africa’s greatest untapped education assets,” said Professor Geoff Thompson MBE, Founder and Chair of Youth Charter.
“When aligned with community infrastructure and youth leadership, it becomes a powerful engine for education, wellbeing, and sustainable development.”
At the centre of the Youth Charter’s approach is its Community Campus model, which integrates sport, culture, arts, and digital learning within local communities, a statement by the organisation on Monday read.
Delivered by trained Social Coaches and shaped through the Youthwise educational experience, the model supports young people’s mental, physical, and emotional development while creating pathways into education, employment, and leadership.
The organisation also reiterated its long-standing call for free education for all children and young people, with targeted support for those from historically disadvantaged and conflict-affected communities.
“Young people must be co-creators of education, not passive recipients,” Thompson added.
“Investing in Africa’s youth is not charity, it is the smartest return on investment the continent can make,” the statement noted.
Youth Charter is calling on African governments, regional bodies, and international partners to embed sport for development within national education strategies, youth policies, and major sporting legacies.
