At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Nigerian Youth Climate Ambassador Kayinajah Inyang has called for a decisive shift from symbolic youth participation to genuine inclusion in global climate decision-making.
Speaking on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting held from 20–24 January 2026, Inyang argued that young people are too often confined to panel discussions and storytelling sessions, while being excluded from the rooms where policies and investments are shaped. “We need a fundamental shift in the global inclusion of young people,” she said. “Genuine youth inclusion at WEF means decision-making seats, not just dialogue or storytelling opportunities.”
Her intervention comes at a time when Africa’s demographic reality is impossible to ignore. With more than 60 per cent of the continent’s population under the age of 25, Africa holds one of the world’s largest concentrations of young people, many of whom are already driving innovation in climate adaptation, clean energy, agriculture, and community resilience. Yet, according to Inyang, global forums continue to sideline this potential.
Representing Nigeria, Inyang stressed that youth are not merely future stakeholders but current actors confronting the frontline impacts of climate change. From food insecurity to energy access and climate-induced displacement, she noted that young people across Africa are already developing solutions, often without the policy backing or financing needed to scale them.
Her call carries particular weight given Africa’s heightened vulnerability to climate shocks. Analysts widely agree that empowering youth-led initiatives could accelerate transitions to green economies, strengthen local resilience, and help countries meet international commitments such as the Paris Agreement.
Inyang urged international institutions, governments, and private sector leaders to move beyond tokenism by formally integrating youth representatives into policy negotiations, financing mechanisms, and governance structures. She also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between youth climate ambassadors and global bodies to ensure African perspectives influence global climate agendas.
As debates at Davos increasingly focus on climate finance, energy transitions, and adaptation, Inyang’s message serves as a reminder that excluding the world’s largest generation from decision-making risks undermining the very solutions global leaders seek. If acted upon, she argued, meaningful youth inclusion at forums like WEF could set a precedent for more inclusive climate governance worldwide.
