Côte d’Ivoire marked International Youth Day on Wednesday, August 12, under the theme « Different Realities, Common Aspirations. » Chaired by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, the celebration was defined above all by strong involvement from young people themselves, who were invited to share their concerns and put forward proposals on the challenges shaping their daily lives and their future.
Among the topics raised, drug use, the influence of social media, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence now occupy an important place among the worries of Ivorian youth. These exchanges highlighted the need to support younger generations as they navigate social and technological shifts that are reshaping their environment at a pace many still struggle to keep up with.
For Mamadou Touré, Minister for Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, the day was meant above all to give a voice to those directly concerned. He noted that his ministry had launched national consultations to better understand what young people expect from the state. The government’s Youth Program for 2026-2030 aims to reach 5.3 million young people, and roughly 43 million CFA francs have been mobilized to support the activities of youth organizations.
On behalf of the National Youth Council, Ibrahima Diabaté presented the outcomes of these consultations, noting that 88% of the concerns raised in 2025 had since been addressed by the authorities. A figure that points to a genuine effort to turn the day into a real space for listening, rather than a purely ceremonial exercise.
This year’s edition shows just how much artificial intelligence and social media are no longer seen in Côte d’Ivoire as issues reserved for experts or policymakers. They now sit at the very heart of what young people themselves are worried about, alongside longer-standing challenges like the fight against drugs, a sign of a generation acutely aware of the rapid changes of its time and eager to have a say in shaping the response.