THE VOICE OF AFRICA Hosts #UNGA80 Side Event At Berkeley College Featured On UN.ORG

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New York, September 22, 2025 — Durinthe 80th United Nations General Assembly, one event stood out as a turning point for youth leadership in global development. Hosted by The Voice of Africa (TVOA) in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Council and Floodgates International, the side-event “From Ideas to Infrastructure: Youth as Agents in Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Development” drew ministers, UN officials, African Union commissioners, tech innovators, and youth leaders into one powerful room at Berkeley College’s Midtown Manhattan campus.

The event was featured on the official UN Youth Affairs calendar, a recognition that underscored its global significance.

Opening and Welcome

The event opened with Ms. Kathleen Botchway (Gratia Law Consult) and Mr. Daniel Aryee (Strategic Youth Development Consultant) setting the stage for a day that would blend diplomacy, innovation, and youth energy.

Keynote Leaders

The opening keynote remarks highlighted the caliber of voices shaping the discussion:

• Diane Recinos, President of Berkeley College, emphasized the institution’s role in bridging scholarship and policy:

“Africa’s youth will not just take part in the global AI economy, they will help define it.”

 

• H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy & Digitization, declared:
  

  “Africa cannot wait to be invited to the table of AI. We must build the table — and ensure our youth are seated at its head.”

• Ibrahim Sannoh, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sierra Leone, stressed urgency:
  

  “AI is survival for Africa. It means jobs, education, and dignity. This is our moment to lead, not follow.”

• Kadmiel and Kemuel Van Der Puije, CEO & COO of The Voice of Africa, reflected on TVOA’s journey from a small newspaper to a global platform with millions of viewers:
  

  “The Voice of Africa is more than media — it is a movement. Our role here at UNGA80 proves that youth-driven platforms can convene presidents, ministers, and innovators to shape Africa’s future.”

• Tomas Malik, Head of Data at the UN Youth Office, shared UN Youth Office strategies on youth in AI, underscoring Africa’s central role in the conversation:

“The UN recognizes Africa’s youth as central to the AI conversation. They are not participants — they are pioneers.”

• Joshua Opey, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council reminded participants that:

“Young people are not just the future of AI — we are the present architects of its ethical and inclusive design.”

AI for Social Good

This segment featured cutting-edge interventions:

• Oswald Anonadaga, CEO of Floodgates International, showcased AI innovations addressing healthcare and education gaps in Africa.
• The Global Development Research AI Platform was officially launched by Floodgates International and the Commonwealth Youth Council, marking a milestone in youth-led AI research.

Panel Discussion: Harnessing AI for Development

Moderated by Anthony Attipoe (Google), the panel dug into the infrastructure, ethics, and policy frameworks needed to scale Africa’s AI ecosystem.

Panelists included:

• Andrise Bass (Institute of Public Policy & Diplomacy Research)
• Susan Cheboror (Amini AI)
• Charlie Zong (UN Major Group for Children & Youth, Youth2030 Strategy)
• Efosa Obano (Black Founders Network)

They debated how Africa can overcome connectivity gaps, attract investment, and shape global AI governance.

Closing Reflections

Daniel Aryee returned to synthesize the discussions:

• Africa must prioritize infrastructure — data, compute, connectivity.
• Youth must be at the forefront of policy and governance.
• Partnerships between governments, institutions, and innovators are essential to scaling solutions.

He closed with a call to action: “This cannot be a one-time conversation. Today must lead to commitments, investments, and collaborations that last long beyond UNGA.”

Why This Event Stood Out at UNGA80

Unlike many side-events, this was not talk for the sake of talk. With ministers, AU commissioners, UN officials, entrepreneurs, and youth leaders together at Berkeley College, and with The Voice of Africa driving global storytelling, “From Ideas to Infrastructure” became the benchmark of what youth-led convenings can achieve.

This was the UNGA80 event where Africa’s youth did not wait for the future. They built it — with infrastructure, innovation, and intention.