When conversations on governance take place in Benin, they are rooted in more than theory. They are shaped by a nation that has wrestled with questions of democracy, tradition, and resilience, and that continues to hold space for dialogue about Africa’s future.

In November 2022, I had the honour of participating in the High-Level Dialogue Continental Youth Consultation in Benin. The focus was urgent: the roles and perspectives of youth in reversing unconstitutional changes of government. Across the continent, we have seen democratic norms tested, fragile institutions stretched, and the legitimacy of governance questioned. The Dialogue reminded us that youth are not bystanders to these shifts. We are witnesses, participants, and ultimately, co-architects of the systems that must emerge.

Three Insights That Stayed With Me

1. We need new and fresh perspectives on the realities of governance—Governance cannot be reduced to technical fixes or recycled strategies. It requires imagination, a willingness to hear voices that have been excluded, and to design futures that reflect the urgency of our demographic moment. Youth bring not just energy, but clarity about what is at stake if governance continues to fail.
2. True engagement broadens perspectives and deepens empathy—Participation is not a box-ticking exercise. When youth and elders engage meaningfully, something shifts: leaders begin to see governance not only as policy but as lived reality. Engagement builds empathy, and empathy is what makes institutions worthy of trust.
3. Leadership is a practical experience—Leadership cannot be simulated only in theory; it must be lived. This is why consultations like the one in Benin matter. They allow young people to test their voices, to practice statecraft in conversation, and to rehearse the weight of responsibility.

Why It Matters

Unconstitutional changes of government have threatened to unravel decades of democratic progress. But the solutions cannot come only from summits, communiqués, or external pressure. They must come from reimagined contracts between citizens and states, between generations, and between leaders and those they serve.

In Benin, it became clear to me that young people are ready for this challenge. Youth are not naive about the fragility of governance. They see its contradictions every day—promises delayed, services uneven, dignity postponed. But they also know that governance can be different, and that their participation is not optional. It is essential.

Forward Momentum

I am deeply grateful for the hospitality of the people of Benin and the opportunity to join colleagues from across the continent in such a timely consultation. Spaces like this remind us that democracy does not defend itself. It must be nurtured, debated, and carried forward by every generation.