Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Sydney Kamlager Dove (CA-37) introduced the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Act, a bipartisan bill to make permanent the State Department’s YALI program.
YALI is the United States’ signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. With a median age of 19, the continent is home to the world’s youngest population. Recognizing the immense potential of this rising generation of change-makers, YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to investing in Africa’s youth, promoting initiatives to enhance leadership skills, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen U.S.-Africa people-to-people ties.
“People-to-people diplomacy is how we build relationships and ensure the United States is the partner of choice for allies and partners,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative has proven to strengthen democracy, prosperity, and peace in the region while supporting young Africans making a difference in their communities. I thank Rep. Kamlager-Dove for working with me on this bill.”
“The Young African Leaders Initiative has been a cornerstone of America’s commitment to Africa’s future since 2010, and I’m proud to support its ongoing efforts through the bipartisan, bicameral YALI Act,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Despite historic bipartisan support, the Trump Administration has proposed a 40% cut to YALI’s budget, jeopardizing a program that has proven effective in strengthening democracy, building communities, and fostering people-to-people ties. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under 30, now’s the time to invest in—not retreat from—emerging leaders who will play vital roles in solving global challenges. We must pass the YALI Act to protect this crucial program and reaffirm the United States as a strong partner in Africa’s future.”
Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Continued U.S. engagement in African nations is essential to building strategic partnerships, while also limiting the influence of our near-peer adversaries in the region,” said Senator Rounds. “The Young African Leaders Initiative was created in 2010 to empower young African leaders to gain the skills and education for the advancement of democratic governance and stability across the continent. Our legislation would make this program permanent and continue its role in advancing democracy and economic development in Africa.”
“Over the last 15 years, YALI has helped strengthen our relationships with nations across Africa – fostering partnerships that expand opportunity, promote peace, and bolster people-to-people ties between the U.S. and these nations. As the continent’s youth population expands dramatically, it’s all the more important that we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. We should make YALI permanent to continue this critical support and pave the way for a brighter shared future for the nations of Africa and the U.S.,” said Senator Van Hollen.
Read the bill HERE.
