ABOUT YPLS Africa
Preparing a New Generation of Ethical, Competent and Responsive African Leaders
The Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa) is a Pan-African leadership development platform established by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development to prepare emerging political and civic leaders for meaningful participation, leadership, and public service across Africa.
YPLS Africa is built on a simple conviction: quality leadership does not emerge by accident. It must be deliberately developed through political education, values formation, practical experience, mentorship, strong networks, and sustained civic engagement.
Our Story
The story of YPLS Africa began in 2012, when Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo travelled to Lima, Peru, for a democracy assembly and encountered a structured school for young political leaders. He returned to Liberia with a vision to create a similar platform for Africa’s emerging leaders.
That vision became reality in April 2016, when the first Young Political Leadership School convened in Monrovia with a small inaugural group of more than 40 young Liberian leaders drawn from political parties, student leadership, civil society, and community organizations. The program was born from the belief that strengthening Africa’s democracy required intentionally preparing the people who would enter political and civic leadership.
Although it began in Liberia, the vision was regional from the start. YPLS Africa progressively connected young leaders across the Mano River Union, beginning with Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, before expanding its reach across West Africa and the continent. Each successive cohort broadened the program’s geography, strengthened its curriculum, and grew its network.
Early support from OSIWA helped launch the vision, followed by partnerships with institutions including the National Endowment for Democracy, Embassy of Sweden, UNDP, and other regional and international partners. The program also developed relationships that brought continental facilitators, exchanges, and new learning opportunities to its participants.
By 2024, YPLS Africa had reached young leaders from 14 African countries. With Cohort 13 in 2026, the network expanded to 15 countries, marking the program’s tenth anniversary and a decade of leadership development, political education, mentorship, networking, and civic action.
Today, YPLS Africa has trained more than 1,300 young leaders across 13 cohorts, building a growing pipeline of leaders serving in political parties, government, civil society, professional institutions, and communities across Africa.
Our Aim
To develop a new generation of ethical, competent, politically conscious, and socially responsive young leaders who strengthen democratic institutions, influence public policy, serve their communities, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development.
Our Vision
An Africa led by a new generation of ethical, competent, accountable, and visionary young leaders who strengthen democratic institutions, serve their communities, and contribute to building The Africa We Want.
Our Objectives
YPLS Africa seeks to prepare emerging political and civic leaders with the knowledge, values, and practical skills required for responsible leadership; connect young leaders across borders and political differences through strong Pan-African networks; and inspire them to translate learning into leadership, civic action, policy influence, and meaningful democratic impact.