Reigniting the power of conversation among Africa’s youth

DAR ES SALAAM: EZEKIEL Dembere (pictured), Tanzania’s ambassador for Imagine It Africa and strategic partner to Bright Yu Ltd, speaks to our reporter ANTONY TAMBWE on how structured dialogue is reshaping youth engagement across the continent through Imagine It Africa.

Question: In brief, can you tell us about Imagine It Africa”

Answer: Imagine It Africa is a Pan-African youth engagement initiative that is redefining how young people connect, think and express themselves.

Built around a deceptively simple idea, conversation, it is using structured, game-based dialogue to spark reflection, confidence and identity among African youth.

Across Africa, many young people are lagging behind, not because they lack ideas, but because they lack meaningful conversations that shape thinking and unlock potential.

It is this realisation that drew me to Imagine It Africa, a movement founded by Ndapandula Nenghwanya, a Namibian entrepreneur based in Canada.

While the company operates across multiple sectors, including technology projects such as assistive tools and children’s audio learning content, its African youth empowerment initiatives remain central. Imagine It Africa stands out as one of its flagship projects.

Q: You describe a “lack of meaningful conversations” as a key challenge facing African youth. From your experience, what are the underlying reasons for this gap, and how does it affect young people’s development?

A: The biggest challenge is the lack of platforms that allow young people to engage in meaningful dialogue.

A large number of youths are in schools, from primary to tertiary levels or vocational training, where their schedules are tightly structured around classes and practical sessions.

While there may be time allocated for games, debates or deeper discussions often happen only occasionally, sometimes just once a month. For those outside the for – mal education system, life is equally demanding.

Many are busy searching for jobs or volunteering to earn a living. When they meet, it is usually in informal settings like clubs, bars or at home, mainly for relaxation rather than structured discussions.

We have also drifted away from our African tradition of storytelling, where young people learned values, ideas and life skills from elders.

This absence of intergenerational dialogue has left a gap. The effects are significant. It limits innovation because ideas are not challenged or refined.

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It reduces motivation, as young people lack spaces to inspire each other.

It also restricts learning from diverse perspectives and, in many cases, leads to the adoption of foreign lifestyles without a strong grounding in our own identity.

Q: Imagine It Africa is built around a simple concept of structured, game-based dialogue. What makes this approach more effective than traditional youth engagement programmes?

A: What makes Imagine It Africa unique is its simplicity and flexibility.

The cards are designed to cover a wide range of topics, economic, social, political and environmental, unlike traditional programmes that often focus on a single issue.

This diversity encourages broader thinking and helps young people connect different aspects of their lives. Another key strength is accessibility.

Young people today have very limited time, so the game is designed to fit into their daily routines.

It can be played anywhere, at school, at home, in salons or even in social spaces, wherever they feel comfortable.

The structured nature of the questions ensures that conversations are purposeful, while the game format keeps them engaging.

It transforms dialogue from something formal and intimidating into something natural, interactive and enjoyable.

Q: The initiative encourages participants to record and share their conversations. How do you balance this goal with concerns around privacy and cultural hesitation?

A: We take privacy and ethics very seriously. Before any conversation is recorded, participants are prepared and informed.

A group leader helps facilitate the process, and everyone agrees on where and when to meet in a space where they feel comfortable.

Consent is central. Each participant must agree before recording takes place, and discussions around privacy are held openly.

We understand that in many communities, sharing opinions publicly can feel sensitive, so we approach this gradually and respectfully.

Our goal is not to pressure anyone, but to build trust.

Over time, as people become more comfortable, they begin to see the value of sharing their voices as part of a larger African nar – rative.

Q: You have studied and worked in both Tanzania and China. How have these diverse academic and cultural experiences shaped your approach to youth empowerment and communication?

A: My experience in China had a profound impact on how I view youth engagement.

I observed a strong work ethic among young people, they are actively building businesses, preserving their cultural values and contributing to national development.

They are also deeply engaged in shaping policies and supporting leadership.

In Tanzania, the situation is different. Many young people feel disconnected from leadership and often focus on criticism rather than participation.

There is also a sense of inferiority that limits confidence and ambition.

After school or work, discussions tend to revolve around sports, with less focus on broader issues like economics, politics or the environment.

This contrast inspired me to bring Imagine It Africa to Tanzania.

I saw the need for a platform that encourages meaningful discussions and empowers young people to think critically, engage actively and see themselves as contributors to national and continental development.

Q: The programme is being introduced not only in schools but also in informal spaces like salons and pubs.

Why is it important to target these everyday environments, and what impact have you seen so far?

A: It is important because these are the spaces where young people naturally gather.

If we want to reach them effectively, we must meet them where they are.

By introducing structured dialogue into these environments, we transform ordinary interactions into meaningful conversations.

We have seen encouraging results. When young people are presented with relevant questions, they open up.

They begin to share their thoughts, experiences and aspirations more freely. This process helps them realise their potential and builds confidence.

The accessibility of the game also makes communica – tion easier. It removes barriers and creates a relaxed environ – ment where everyone feels in – cluded.

As a result, many par – ticipants are beginning to see themselves as leaders capable of shaping their own destinies.