Empowering African youth. Driving change.
Africa Youth Portal
The Africa Youth Portal is a strategic partnership between the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Mastercard Foundation. It serves as a premier digital hub for research and analysis produced by emerging scholars across Africa and the diaspora.
By amplifying the perspectives of young Africans, the Portal ensures that their insights shape the continental development agenda and the global issues that matter most to their future. Our research spans five thematic areas:
- Youth inclusion and agency
- Gender
- Education
- Climate change
- Peace and security
Beyond its digital presence, the project also hosts a Research Programme – a capacity-building initiative designed to equip promising young scholars with the skills to produce timely, high-impact and policy-oriented research.
Each year, 20 participants are selected from across the continent and the diaspora for an intensive training residency in Johannesburg, South Africa. These workshops convene leading experts to provide hands-on mentorship in:
- Policy and academic writing: Mastering the art of clear, persuasive communication.
- Research strategy: Planning and executing rigorous data-driven projects.
- Digital innovation: Utilising modern tools for advanced research.
- Professional development: Strategic networking and career planning within the global policy landscape.
Through this dual approach of publication and professional cultivation, the Africa Youth Portal is shaping a new cohort of African experts ready to lead on the world stage.
About SAIIA (South African Institute of International Affairs) & Youth SAIIA
This project is hosted by Youth@SAIIA, the dedicated youth programming arm of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).
For nearly a century, SAIIA has served as an independent, premier think tank dedicated to advancing a well-governed, peaceful, and globally engaged Africa.
Building on this foundation, the Youth@SAIIA programme aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools to navigate and shape the world of international relations. We believe that a sustainable future for the continent depends on young people who are not just observers, but active participants in public policy.
Youth@SAIIA’s work is driven by four strategic pillars:
- Policy Research & Development: Equipping young minds with rigorous methodologies to develop informed perspectives on global affairs.
- Policy Engagement: Creating platforms that ensure youth voices contribute directly to high-level policy discussions.
- Policy Implementation: Providing practical opportunities for young leaders to gain hands-on experience and foster real-world impact.
- Networking & Mentorship: Connecting participants with a global network of peers, mentors, and established professionals to foster lifelong collaboration.
Through this programme, we continue SAIIA’s legacy of excellence by shaping a future where young people are empowered to drive positive, systemic change across Africa and beyond.
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Its Young Africa Works strategy aims to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, while its EleV strategy will support 100,000 Indigenous youth in Canada to complete their education and transition to meaningful work aligned with their traditions, values, and aspirations.
Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its Board of Directors and Leadership team.
From Africa Portal to Africa Youth Portal
This project represents the next evolution of a mission that began in 2010 with the Africa Portal, a landmark partnership between SAIIA and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). For over a decade, the Africa Portal worked to amplify African research on the global stage.
Today, the Africa Youth Portal takes up that mantle. We have integrated the Africa Portal’s vast archive of over 10,000 research reports into this new platform, revitalising that wealth of knowledge with a youth-centric approach. By bridging established expertise with emerging voices from the continent and the diaspora, we are creating a premier hub for policy-oriented research and action.
Donavan Fullard
Donavan has extensive experience in the education and development sectors with a strong focus on youth and environmental initiatives. He holds a Masters in Education and a Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from Rhodes University
Qudsiya Karrim
Isabel Bosman-Burnett
Isabel is a researcher with a focus on the intersection of technology and politics with interests in biometrics, e-voting, and African democracy. She holds a Master of Arts in Political Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Kendra Connock
Kendra holds a Masters in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research interests include human security, international law and foreign policy analysis.
Rendani Tshitangano
Rendani Tshitangano is a Research Assistant in SAIIA’s Youth Programme. Rendani research focuses on democracy and civic engagement, youth inclusion and agency, and social policy.
Richard Thwala
Richard Thwala is the finance coordinator in SAIIA’s Youth programme. Richard Thwala is a finance professional with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from the UJ.
Gustavo de Carvalho
Gustavo is a policy and research specialist with over 20 years’ experience across Africa, Latin America, and Europe. His work focuses on multilateralism, African agency, and global partnerships like BRICS. He is pursuing a PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Laura Rubidge
Laura is a researcher with a focus on global economic governance, African foreign policy, and development finance with a Masters in International Relations (cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2025, she engaged in the coordination of the Think20 Africa network.
Francois Pretorius
Francois is a Futures Researcher and Practitioner with varied experience in futures research, design and project management and skill in horizon scanning and trend analysis. He has an MPhil in Futures Studies (cum laude) from Stellenbosch University.