By Bocarr Sowe
Bocarr Sowe is a 21-year-old youth leader and Wisdom Council member from The Gambia, selected among 1,000 young people to attend the Youth Impact Summit 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia. Bocarr has played a key role in expanding outreach and increasing enrollment among youth from the Central River Region North of The Gambia in Planeteer Alliance programs.
Read about his insights and experience below!
Bocarr Sowe, left, is seated next to a fellow youth leader at the Youth Impact Summit in Banjul, The Gambia.
What is the Youth Impact Summit and how were you selected to attend?
The Youth Impact Summit brought together 500 youths across the continent, selected from The Gambia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Senegal for a day focused on leadership, innovation, and opportunity. The theme this year was “Unleashing Youth Leadership for Transformative Impact.”
Due to my leadership skills and experience in the environmental spectrum, I secured my spot to attend this Summit– taking place on December 27th, 2025. This day-long conference took place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Banjul, The Gambia. Furthermore, this opportunity marked a major milestone, showing growth and exposure for my environmental journey.
What events or sessions did you attend while at the Summit?
The events featured at the Summit that I attended were:
- Business session with youths
- Engagement with investors
- Group engagement with students, philanthropists, and political youth leaders
- National and international speakers
- Discussion on leadership, activism, and entrepreneurship
- Networking and cultural performances
The Youth Impact Summit was more than an event; it was a powerful demonstration of the energy, commitment, and potential of African youth.
500 youth leaders from Senegal, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Nigeria gathered at the Youth Impact Summit on December 27th, 2025.
What was the purpose of the Summit?
The purpose of the Summit was to celebrate African youth leadership, creativity, and resilience to foster unity and development in Africa. This was accomplished by bringing many young people to interact, network, and share experiences– motivating one another for continental growth. This conference also prepared young people to take leadership roles, accelerating growth and collaboration among member countries and youth.
“African youth are ready to rise, to take responsibility, and to push the boundaries of what is possible.”
What were the results of the Summit?
The conference was successful, achieving its goal of engaging young people in leadership, initiative, and entrepreneurship. My fellow participants and I engaged in discussions that strengthened leadership skills, encouraged innovative thinking, and promoted entrepreneurial initiatives. The Summit inspired us to take active roles in community development and economic growth, equipping us with practical knowledge and motivation to create positive change.
What are your key takeaways from this experience as a Planeteer leader?
My key takeaways from this experience are that:
- African youth play a key role in promoting leadership and entrepreneurial growth.
- The Summit highlighted the importance of empowering young people to lead and innovate.
- Strong youth involvement is critical to developing future leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Youth should think about how to create jobs, not just seek them.
Bocarr Sowe poses at the Youth Impact Summit.
What was a major highlight of the experience?
The most memorable experience for me was meeting and interacting with delegates from Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria for the first time. I learned about ideologies and cultures from people from different countries.
Additionally, I had the privilege of hearing from the musician Tongtong Jules of Kermendeng, who performed at this Summit! Tongtong is an exemplary youth, excelling in both academics and music, proving that it is possible to follow your passion while achieving in school. His dedication and talent inspire many young people to aim high and work hard.
Bocarr Sowe poses with his official certificate of completion, awarded at the Summit.
Any final thoughts about attending the Youth Impact Summit?
African youth are ready to rise, to take responsibility, and to push the boundaries of what is possible. We raised our voices not only for our own communities but for youth across the continent, reminding the world that the future is in our hands. This was demonstrated both in words and actions at the Youth Impact Summit.
Finally, I would like to recognize and thank the Planeteer Alliance, Captain Planet Foundation, and Team Planet for their immense support. Special thanks goes to our Regional Coordinator, Sanna Jambang, for the guidance and encouragement.
The Power is Yours!