As technology and artificial intelligence rapidly reshape the global economy, many young people across Africa still face barriers to accessing the knowledge, mentorship, and practical opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the digital future. LeadUp Foundation designed the LeadUp360 Weekend Summit 2025 to help close this gap.

Held under the theme “Tech and AI for Good: Empowering Young People for Entrepreneurship and Impact,” the two-day virtual summit convened 35 young people — 22 females and 13 males — from three African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. The event brought together emerging innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts in a dynamic learning environment focused on turning digital curiosity into practical capability.

What distinguished the summit was its strong emphasis on learning by doing. Rather than simply introducing participants to technology trends, the summit exposed them to practical ways digital tools and artificial intelligence can be used to support entrepreneurship, improve learning, strengthen access to health information, and contribute to climate solutions within their communities.

To guide the learning experience, six seasoned facilitators and industry practitioners led sessions across technology, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation. Their diverse expertise helped participants explore real-world applications of AI and digital tools while also providing mentorship and professional insight into emerging opportunities within the digital economy.

The impact of the summit extended beyond the sessions themselves. As part of the program, participants worked on capstone projects aligned with their personal interests and career aspirations. Following the training, several participants went on to develop functional websites and digital solutions linked to their ideas, demonstrating the summit’s practical and lasting impact. Many of these projects continue to run today, reflecting a shift from passive learning to active innovation.

For many participants, the summit changed how they perceived technology. Instead of viewing AI as a distant or complex field reserved for specialists, they began to see it as a practical tool that can simplify learning, support entrepreneurship, improve access to information, and create pathways to income and impact.

The summit also demonstrated LeadUp’s commitment to inclusive digital empowerment, with strong female participation representing nearly two-thirds of attendees. By bringing together young people from multiple African countries, the event fostered cross-border collaboration and peer learning, strengthening networks among emerging innovators across the region.

Ultimately, LeadUp360 Weekend Summit 2025 was more than a virtual gathering — it was a platform for unlocking potential. By combining expert mentorship, hands-on learning, and practical project development, the summit helped young Africans move from interest in technology to confidence in applying it to real challenges.

As LeadUp continues to expand its work at the intersection of technology, AI, entrepreneurship, and youth development, the summit stands as a powerful example of what is possible when young people are given access to the right knowledge, tools, and networks.

For donors and partners, the message is clear: when digital skills training is inclusive, practical, and purpose-driven, young people can transform technology into opportunity — not just for themselves, but for their communities.

“When young people are given the knowledge, mentorship, and tools to explore technology, they move from simply consuming innovation to creating solutions that matter.”

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