About the Pan African Youth Institute (PAYI)
Enlighten | Empower | Transform
Our Mission
To empower and resource the youth through research, influence policies, and catalyze youth participation in national and international development — ensuring that the voice and energy of Africa's young people are at the centre of decisions that shape their lives and their continent.
Our Vision
An independent, resourced, and intellectually empowered African youth — making objective, courageous, and transformative contributions to national, continental, and global policies and development.
Who We Are
Enlighten | Empower | Transform
The Pan African Youth Institute (PAYI) is Africa’s premier youth-based research and policy think tank. We are an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, and non-religious research, education, and policy institute dedicated to serving the youth in particular and the African continent at large.
Established to address a critical gap — the near-absence of youth voices in the policies and decisions that govern their lives — PAYI was built on a simple but powerful truth: nearly 65% of Africa’s population is under 35, yet most of the continent’s major decisions are made without meaningful youth participation.
PAYI changes that. Through rigorous research, evidence-based education, and bold policy advocacy, we equip young Africans with the tools, knowledge, and platforms to actively contribute to and shape national and continental discourse.
We collaborate with non-aligned media, academia, civil society organisations, and international institutions to ensure that the youth of Africa are not merely beneficiaries of development — but its architects.
Our Values
Independent — We are free from political, commercial, and ideological influence. Our positions are driven by evidence, not agenda.
Fearless & Courageous — We speak truth to power, even when it is uncomfortable, because Africa's youth deserve honest advocacy.
Constructive — We do not criticise for criticism's sake. Every position we take is accompanied by thoughtful, actionable alternatives.
Inclusive — We represent Africa in all its diversity — across regions, languages, genders, and backgrounds.
Integrity — We hold ourselves to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Excellence — We commit to the highest quality in everything we produce — from research to programmes to partnerships.
Summary of Our Team
Our staffs is made up of youth who have vast knowledge in their fields with the combination of research and policy experiences
Prof. Caroline S. Hossein
Board Chair
Williams Clinton APPOH
President & Executive Director
Dinah Mark-Boye
Advisory Board Secretary
See All Team Members Here
OUR INTERESTS
The institute’s agenda and interests cover major areas and issues that ultimately affect the youth and our nations. These include but not limited to:
- Research
- Education
- Policy
- SDGs
- Gender Empowerment
What We Do
At the Pan African Youth Institute (PAYI), we apply knowledge by directly engaging citizens, communities, and decision-makers. Our work is built on five interconnected pillars that collectively drive Africa’s youth toward greater participation in the continent’s development.
🔬 Research
We produce rigorous, intellectually honest research on issues affecting Africa’s youth — from policy analysis and socio-economic studies to governance, education, and environmental challenges. Our research is designed to be actionable — informing policymakers, opinion leaders, journalists, advocates, and the public.
📚 Education & Training
We design and deliver relevant, tailored education and training programmes for youth across the continent. Our goal is to inform, equip, and resource young Africans so they can make quality contributions to national and international decisions. From workshops and seminars to online learning, we meet youth where they are.
🏛️ Policy Contributions & Advocacy
We engage policymakers, governments, and international institutions to ensure that youth voices are embedded in the decisions that affect them. We produce policy briefs, participate in policy forums, and advocate for reforms that create enabling environments for youth empowerment and development.
🌍 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
PAYI’s work is deeply anchored in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Through our flagship SDGs Essay Competition and other programmes, we mobilise African youth to generate practical, policy-relevant ideas on the SDGs most critical to the continent’s future.
⚡ Gender Empowerment & Inclusion
We believe Africa cannot develop without the full and equal participation of its women and girls. Our programmes intentionally promote gender equality, amplify female voices in policy spaces, and advocate for systemic changes that level the playing field for young women across Africa.
Where We Work
The Pan African Youth Institute (PAYI) is headquartered in Accra, Ghana — the birthplace of Pan-Africanism and home to the African Union’s founding ideals.
Our work reaches across the African continent, with active programmes and partnerships in West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, North Africa, and African Diaspora communities worldwide. We are currently building country-level presence beginning with our three Phase 1 focus countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Our Continental Reach
PAYI operates at multiple levels — from community grassroots to national policy tables and continental platforms. Our research, education, and advocacy programmes are designed to be context-sensitive, addressing the unique needs and challenges of youth in each region.
Sub-Regional Engagement
We actively engage with key sub-regional bodies including ECOWAS, the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and other continental institutions to ensure that youth perspectives are embedded in regional policy frameworks.
Diaspora
PAYI recognises the African Diaspora as a vital force in the continent’s development. We work to connect Diaspora youth with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s growth — through research, investment, mentorship, and advocacy.
Our Vision for Expansion
We are on a deliberate journey to establish a meaningful presence in every African country. If you are a young leader, institution, or organisation who shares our mission, we invite you to help us build PAYI in your country.
What Your Donation Spports
We appreciate your donations, both in kind and cash. We are very open about what your donations support.
Policy
The Institute’s research helps policymakers, opinion leaders, advocates, journalists, and the public understand the important issues affecting the youth, continent and the globe.
