AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called on African leaders and the international community to prioritise investments in children and young people by reforming what it described as an unjust global debt system that continues to divert resources away from critical social services.
The organisation made the call in a statement to commemorate the 2026 Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16.
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AHF said Africa, as the world’s youngest continent, possesses immense potential through its youthful population but warned that excessive debt obligations are limiting governments’ ability to invest adequately in healthcare, education, social protection and economic opportunities for young people.
According to the organisation, meaningful investments in youth development are essential for building healthier, more prosperous and resilient societies across the continent.
“Young people’s aspirations for healthy, educated and prosperous futures cannot be realised when nations are forced to prioritise debt payments over investments in healthcare, education and social protection,” the statement noted.
AHF explained that through its Freedom from Debt campaign, it is advocating reforms that would enable African countries to channel more resources into programmes that directly benefit children and young people.
The organisation stressed that sustained public investment is needed to strengthen HIV prevention efforts, improve access to youth-friendly health services, promote quality education, advance gender equality and expand opportunities for economic empowerment.
AHF also highlighted its youth-focused initiatives, including Girls Act and Boys2Men, which aim to develop leadership skills, promote health literacy, advance sexual and reproductive health rights and provide platforms for young people to advocate for issues affecting their communities.
The organisation noted that a future free from unsustainable debt would enable more children and young people to remain in school, access quality healthcare and pursue their ambitions without unnecessary barriers.
Reflecting on the significance of the Day of the African Child, AHF recalled that the observance commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where students protested against inequalities in the apartheid education system and demanded access to quality education.
According to the organisation, the legacy of the uprising remains a reminder of the need for governments to listen to young people and create policies that support their growth and development.
AHF urged African leaders to place children and youth at the centre of national development strategies, stressing that the continent’s future prosperity depends on the investments made in its young population today.
