Youth in Governance Consultation Brings Young Basotho Together in Maseru

The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, through the Department of Youth and with support from the African Union, convened a country consultation on Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity in Maseru on 15 September 2026. The consultation was held at Lancers Inn and brought together young people, youth-focused organisations and other key stakeholders to discuss the role of young people in governance and decision-making. The gathering created an important platform for participants to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about meaningful youth participation in public affairs. Discussions focused on both the opportunities available to young people and the barriers that continue to limit their involvement in governance processes. The consultation also formed part of broader efforts to ensure that the perspectives of African youth are reflected in discussions about governance and development.

Dr. Mahao Johane, Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council at the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, highlighted the importance of creating spaces where young people can participate openly in governance discussions. He explained that the consultation gives young people an opportunity to freely express their views and contribute perspectives rooted in their experiences at community level. Such participation allows decision-makers and institutions to gain a clearer understanding of the issues affecting young people in different communities. He also stressed that meaningful youth participation plays an important role in strengthening democracy and ensuring that young people’s voices are considered in national development processes. The consultation therefore provided an opportunity to move beyond discussions about youth participation and focus on practical ways of enabling young people to become active contributors to governance.

Dr. Johane further noted that the engagement would contribute to preparations for the Africa Governance Report 2027, known as AGR2027. The report provides an important opportunity to capture perspectives on governance across the continent, making the inclusion of young people’s experiences particularly relevant. Young people represent a significant part of Africa’s population and their participation can provide insight into how governance systems affect communities and younger generations. By gathering views directly from young people and youth organisations, the consultation can help ensure that issues affecting youth are properly reflected in the wider governance conversation. The process also reinforces the importance of creating mechanisms through which young people can contribute to policy discussions rather than only being consulted after key decisions have already been made.

Mrs. Karabo Chadzingwa Machebelele, AGR2027 Coordinator and Natural Resource Governance Lead at the African Peer Review Mechanism, explained that the consultation was intended to gather perspectives from young people, government representatives and youth organisations. She said the information collected through these engagements would help inform the Africa Governance Report 2027 and contribute to a broader understanding of youth experiences across Africa. Machebelele encouraged participants to speak openly about their experiences, concerns and expectations during the consultation. She noted that these contributions could help ensure that the report reflects the realities and aspirations of African youth rather than relying only on institutional perspectives. Her remarks also highlighted the value of direct engagement with young people when developing broader assessments of governance and participation on the continent.

The consultation also provided an opportunity for youth organisations to emphasise the need for young people to become more actively involved in governance processes. Puseletso Agnes Mpeisa of ANTHENA Network and Youth Democracy Network welcomed the engagement and described it as an important platform for young people to make their voices heard. She encouraged young people to come together in solidarity and play an active role in identifying and addressing challenges affecting their communities and Lesotho as a whole. Her contribution highlighted the role that youth networks and organisations can play in connecting young people with opportunities to participate in civic and governance processes. It also reinforced the importance of collective action, dialogue and continued engagement between young people, government institutions and organisations working on youth development.

The discussions in Maseru reflect growing attention to the role of young people in shaping governance and development across Africa. Meaningful participation requires more than simply inviting young people to consultations, as it also depends on creating opportunities for their views to influence discussions, policies and programmes. Young people can contribute perspectives based on their experiences in communities, education, employment, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and other areas that affect national development. Consultations such as the one held in Maseru can help identify barriers to participation while also highlighting opportunities that can be strengthened through collaboration between government, civil society and youth organisations. The outcomes can therefore contribute to a clearer understanding of what young people need to participate effectively in governance.

For Lesotho, the country consultation also provided a space for stakeholders to discuss youth participation within the country’s broader development and democratic processes. The involvement of the Department of Youth, the African Union, the African Peer Review Mechanism and youth-focused organisations brought different perspectives into the discussion. The contributions from participants can help draw attention to the practical experiences of young people and the challenges they face when seeking to participate in decision-making. The consultation also encouraged young Basotho to recognise their role in contributing to solutions affecting their communities and the country. Continued engagement of this nature can help maintain dialogue between young people and institutions responsible for governance and youth development.

The 15 September 2026 consultation in Maseru ultimately placed youth participation at the centre of an important governance discussion. Through the Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity initiative, young people and stakeholders had an opportunity to discuss how youth voices can become a meaningful part of governance and decision-making processes. The contributions gathered during the engagement are also expected to support preparations for the Africa Governance Report 2027 and help bring African youth perspectives into the wider continental governance conversation. The emphasis on open participation, solidarity and practical engagement highlights the importance of giving young people opportunities to contribute to the future of their communities and country. As Lesotho and the wider African continent continue to examine ways to strengthen inclusive governance, the participation of young people remains an important part of that ongoing process.