By: Julius Konton
In a significant step toward strengthening youth-led democratic reforms across Africa, Liberian civic leader and Team Lead of Infoquest, a non-profit and non-governmental organization, Sialyn Bockarie, has been selected as a Next Gen Reform Leader, a prestigious regional initiative aimed at empowering emerging democratic actors across West Africa.
The initiative, which builds on Bockarie’s earlier participation as a WADEMOS Next Gen Leader, began with a series of virtual learning engagements and culminated this week in a high-level regional youth symposium in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together young reform-minded leaders from 15 African countries.
The gathering comes at a crucial moment for West Africa, where democratic governance continues to face mounting pressures.
According to recent regional assessments by governance watchdogs, the sub-region has witnessed a surge in democratic setbacks over the last five years, including military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger, alongside declining public trust in political institutions and reduced civic participation among young people.
Against this backdrop, the symposium focused on practical strategies for rebuilding democratic resilience, strengthening youth agency, and promoting inclusive governance. Participants engaged in intensive dialogue, collaborative brainstorming, and strategy-building sessions centered on critical themes such as power-building, strategic alliances, and the use of art and culture as tools for civic engagement.
Experts say Africa remains the world’s youngest continent, with over 70 percent of its population under the age of 30, making youth participation central to the future of democratic governance.
In West Africa alone, young people account for nearly 60 percent of the population, yet their political representation remains disproportionately low.
Speaking after the symposium, Bockarie described the experience as both transformative and humbling.
“Being in rooms like these is a constant reminder of the greater work ahead, and I do not take these opportunities lightly,” Bockarie said.
“The symposium has strengthened my capacity, expanded my regional networks, and deepened my commitment to advancing democratic governance and youth inclusion.”
The program provided a strategic platform for emerging leaders to exchange experiences, develop reform-driven ideas, and foster cross-border partnerships aimed at addressing governance challenges in the region.
Bockarie extended appreciation to the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for what he described as their unwavering commitment to investing in the next generation of democratic leaders.
WADEMOS, established as a regional network to promote democratic solidarity and accountability, has increasingly become a key player in youth civic leadership development, while NDI continues its long-standing mission of supporting democratic institutions globally.
For Liberia, Bockarie’s selection reflects the growing role of young civil society actors in shaping governance conversations and promoting accountability, transparency, and democratic reform at both national and regional levels.
Political observers note that as Africa confronts rising governance challenges, initiatives like the Next Gen Reform Leadership Program could prove pivotal in preparing a new generation of leaders capable of driving sustainable democratic transformation.
