Session
Organizer 1: Private Sector, African Group
Organizer 2: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 2: Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 1: Ida Padikuor Na-Tei , Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 2: Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 3: Stephen Samuel Kwame Jaja, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Abdulrahman Abotaleb, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 5: Amina Ramallan, Government, African Group
Speaker 2: Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 3: Stephen Samuel Kwame Jaja, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Abdulrahman Abotaleb, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 5: Amina Ramallan, Government, African Group
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom format is ideal for this session as it promotes structured engagement, focused discussions, and active participation from both speakers and attendees. This setup allows for a dynamic exchange of ideas while ensuring that participants can follow presentations and interact effectively with experts and entrepreneurs. The 60-minute duration is well-suited to cover key aspects of the topic, including policy challenges, best practices, and actionable recommendations, while allowing time for audience engagement. The session will be structured as follows: Opening remarks & context setting (10 minutes) Panel discussion with experts and youth entrepreneurs (30 minutes) Q&A and audience interaction (15 minutes) Wrap-up and key takeaways (5 minutes) This format ensures an efficient, interactive, and solution-oriented discussion while maximizing participant engagement within the allotted time.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom format is ideal for this session as it promotes structured engagement, focused discussions, and active participation from both speakers and attendees. This setup allows for a dynamic exchange of ideas while ensuring that participants can follow presentations and interact effectively with experts and entrepreneurs. The 60-minute duration is well-suited to cover key aspects of the topic, including policy challenges, best practices, and actionable recommendations, while allowing time for audience engagement. The session will be structured as follows: Opening remarks & context setting (10 minutes) Panel discussion with experts and youth entrepreneurs (30 minutes) Q&A and audience interaction (15 minutes) Wrap-up and key takeaways (5 minutes) This format ensures an efficient, interactive, and solution-oriented discussion while maximizing participant engagement within the allotted time.
Policy Question(s)
1. What policy frameworks and regulatory reforms are needed to improve access to finance, digital infrastructure, and market opportunities for youth-led SMEs in the digital economy?
2. How can governments, private sector actors, and financial institutions collaborate to create inclusive digital and financial ecosystems that support young entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved communities?
3. What role do digital platforms and emerging technologies play in fostering sustainable and responsible innovation among youth-led SMEs, and how can policymakers ensure equitable access to these resources?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Attendees will gain valuable insights into policies and strategies that can empower youth-led SMEs in the digital economy. They will learn about successful case studies of young entrepreneurs who have leveraged digital tools and platforms to scale their businesses. The session will provide a multistakeholder perspective, featuring voices from policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, offering diverse viewpoints on enabling youth-driven digital innovation.
Participants will also explore practical solutions such as financial inclusion models, digital upskilling programs, and regulatory frameworks that foster SME growth. Additionally, they will receive actionable recommendations on how governments, investors, and technology providers can collaborate to remove barriers for youth-led enterprises. Ultimately, this session will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for inclusive policies that support sustainable and responsible digital innovation.
SDGs
Description:
Empowering Youth-led SMEs in the Digital Economy: Policies for Inclusion and Growth Young entrepreneurs are at the forefront of the digital economy, driving innovation and job creation. However, many youth-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle with barriers such as limited access to capital, restrictive regulatory environments, and gaps in digital literacy. This session will explore how policy reforms, digital platforms, and financial inclusion strategies can create an enabling ecosystem for young business leaders. The discussion will feature real-world success stories of youth-led enterprises that have leveraged digital tools to scale their businesses. Experts from policy, industry, and entrepreneurship will assess the role of governments, financial institutions, and private sector actors in bridging gaps in digital infrastructure, funding, and skills development. Key focus areas will include: Digital and financial inclusion strategies for young entrepreneurs. Regulatory frameworks that support SME growth in the digital economy. Best practices from digital platforms empowering youth-led businesses. By highlighting concrete solutions, this session aims to inform policies that promote sustainable and responsible innovation, ensuring that young entrepreneurs are equipped to drive inclusive economic growth in the digital era.
Empowering Youth-led SMEs in the Digital Economy: Policies for Inclusion and Growth Young entrepreneurs are at the forefront of the digital economy, driving innovation and job creation. However, many youth-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle with barriers such as limited access to capital, restrictive regulatory environments, and gaps in digital literacy. This session will explore how policy reforms, digital platforms, and financial inclusion strategies can create an enabling ecosystem for young business leaders. The discussion will feature real-world success stories of youth-led enterprises that have leveraged digital tools to scale their businesses. Experts from policy, industry, and entrepreneurship will assess the role of governments, financial institutions, and private sector actors in bridging gaps in digital infrastructure, funding, and skills development. Key focus areas will include: Digital and financial inclusion strategies for young entrepreneurs. Regulatory frameworks that support SME growth in the digital economy. Best practices from digital platforms empowering youth-led businesses. By highlighting concrete solutions, this session aims to inform policies that promote sustainable and responsible innovation, ensuring that young entrepreneurs are equipped to drive inclusive economic growth in the digital era.
Expected Outcomes
This session aims to generate actionable insights on policy reforms and strategies that can support youth-led SMEs in the digital economy. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the discussion will produce recommendations on improving financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to foster sustainable and responsible innovation.
Key expected outcomes include:
1. Policy recommendations for creating a more inclusive digital and financial ecosystem for young entrepreneurs.
2. Best practices and success stories showcasing how youth-led SMEs have leveraged digital tools and platforms.
3. A multi-stakeholder action plan outlining collaborative roles for governments, private sector actors, and financial institutions in empowering youth-driven businesses.
Potential outputs include a summary report of key takeaways, a policy brief for decision-makers, and potential follow-up discussions or partnerships to advance the agenda of youth inclusion in the digital economy.
Hybrid Format: To facilitate interaction, both onsite and online participants will have equal opportunities to engage through live Q&A, chat moderation, and polls. An onsite moderator will ensure seamless coordination between virtual and in-person attendees, encouraging real-time questions and contributions. There will also be a dedicated online moderator to facilitate online activities.
To enhance participation, we will use interactive tools like Slido or Mentimeter for live polling and feedback. Online participants will have access to breakout discussions and networking channels via IGF’s virtual platform. The session will also feature pre-session engagement, allowing remote attendees to submit questions in advance, ensuring an inclusive and dynamic discussion for all participants.