Young professionals across Africa have been encouraged to take part in the upcoming 44th Roundtable Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM), set to take place from December 2–5, 2025, at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha, Eswatini.
The appeal was made by Mr. Rajab Lukwago, President of AAPAM’s Young Professionals Network (YPN), who described the gathering as a defining platform for young Africans seeking to shape the future of public administration on the continent. Mr. Lukwago, a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellow and Senior Administrator at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, noted that this year’s conference goes beyond dialogue, calling it “a movement” for youth-driven governance innovation.
“This year’s AAPAM Roundtable is not just a conference but a movement. Whether you’re in public service, the private sector, or civil society, this is your space to share ideas, build networks, and redefine how governance serves our people,” he said in an exclusive interview.
Held under the theme “Agile Public Administration: Partnership and Digital Transformation for Citizen-Centric Service Delivery,” the Roundtable will bring together ministers, senior administrators, academics, and governance experts from across Africa.
The Young Professionals Network is expected to play a central role by introducing fresh perspectives on digital transformation, citizen engagement, and inclusive leadership. Mr. Lukwago emphasized that youth involvement remains essential to accelerating reforms across the continent.
“This is the generation that must translate vision into action. Young professionals have the creativity and the energy to make Africa’s public institutions more responsive, transparent, and technology-driven,” he said. “The Roundtable is where we start shaping that future together.”
As part of its activities, the YPN will host a dedicated youth dialogue focusing on innovation, leadership, and collaborative governance. The session will also feature insights from Mandela Washington Fellows and other emerging leaders on strengthening Africa’s public institutions.
Mr. Lukwago applauded the Government of Eswatini and the AAPAM Secretariat for prioritizing youth inclusion, noting that hosting the conference in Mbabane reflects Africa’s commitment to empowering its next generation of reformers.
“We want every young professional to see themselves as part of the solution. This Roundtable is not about observing change; it’s about leading it,” he added.
Registration for the conference is currently open on the official AAPAM website, with participation open to public servants, researchers, and professionals from all African countries.
