Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA

What Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA does

The Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA (ICOYACA) is a Johannesburg-based, non-profit youth advisory organization founded in 2021 to advance youth inclusion in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The council was unveiled by the AfCFTA Secretariat and operates as the only continental youth advisory body mandated to advise on AfCFTA implementation, bridging the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union, RECs, UN agencies, and grassroots youth across 54 Country Chapters. Its core beneficiaries are young African entrepreneurs, traders, MSMEs, and emerging professionals (typically aged 18–35), with secondary engagement of national AfCFTA Implementation Committees, trade ministries, and REC secretariats. Reporting lines run through YouLead Africa as mother entity and ultimately MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation; the council has no external shareholders or external venture funding.

ICOYACA delivers its mandate through a layered portfolio of youth engagement programs (AfCFTA Youth Engage Series, Moot Court Competitions, Model AfCFTA Negotiations, bimonthly AfCFTA Debates, the AfCFTA QUIZ, the YouLead Africa Summit) and skills/services (Export Readiness Training, HS Codes literacy, National Implementation Committee Support, Trade Data Collection & Monitoring, Partnership Leveraging, regional exchange forums across AFRO-EURO, AFRO-ASIA, AFRO-USA and AFRO-CARICOM). The May 2026 launch of the Young Experts Network extends the offering into a structured professional pipeline across law, policy, governance, economics, finance, agriculture, and inclusive trade. Distribution is community-led and event-driven: 54 Country Chapters, 550 data-collection members, 2,000+ volunteers, and 20,000+ Youth in Trade Members are reached primarily via continental events (Digital Trade Forum, Business Forum, IATF, WTO MC14), partner-amplified digital channels, and direct country-level mobilization. The council has trained 5,000+ entrepreneurs and equipped 100,000+ youth with AfCFTA information.

The business model is grant-funded: confirmed financial and strategic supporters include the International Trade Centre (ITC), UNDP Africa, UNECA, the AfCFTA Secretariat, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Flutterwave (payment processor), and the ultimate parent MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation through YouLead Africa. There is no commercial pricing model, no paying customers, and no disclosed revenue; the organization does not sell products or services.

Name

Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA

Legal name

Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA

Website

https://icoyacaafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA (ICOYACA) is a Johannesburg-based non-profit founded in 2021 to advance youth inclusion in the African Continental Free Trade Area through 54 Country Chapters, capacity-building programs, and advisory engagement with multilateral institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Policy Advisory Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGABAE

Education Access & Quality (International Development)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/International Development & Poverty Alleviation

SECONDARYBPADAAAB

Regional Intergovernmental Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYEDADALAA

Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Partnerships, Intergovernmental & NGO Programs

Keywords

• Youth trade advocacy
• AfCFTA implementation support
• Continental trade integration
• Trade policy capacity building
• Pan-African youth networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Grant Funding: ICOYACA operates as an independent advisory body funded through partnerships with international organizations (UNDP, ITC, UNECA), government bodies, and development partners. Funding supports AfCFTA Bootcamps, Youth Days, Moot Court Competitions, and capacity building programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ICOYACA is a non-profit continental youth advisory body that supports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through capacity-building programs, policy advocacy, simulation competitions, training on export readiness, and a pan-African network of country chapters. The council mobilizes African youth as entrepreneurs, policy experts, and ambassadors to advance continental trade integration, while representing youth interests to the AfCFTA Secretariat, the African Union, RECs, member states, and UN agencies.

Product overview

ICOYACA is a platform-and-programs organization rather than a unified technology product. It operates as an independent continental youth advisory council focused on advancing youth inclusion in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through multiple interconnected programs. The core offering consists of youth engagement programs (AfCFTA Youth Engage Series, Moot Court Competitions, Debates, QUIZ), skills development initiatives (Model AfCFTA Negotiations, Export Readiness Training), and regional exchange forums. The organization supports a network of 54 Country Chapters, a Young Experts Network of professionals across law, policy, economics, and trade, and a Champions membership program. These programs collectively aim to build youth capacity for AfCFTA participation, facilitate policy advocacy, and enable youth-led accountability in continental trade integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AfCFTA Youth Engage Series
• AfCFTA Moot Court Competitions Simulated trade-dispute moot court competitions that train law students and young legal professionals on AfCFTA dispute settlement mechanisms and continental trade law.
• AfCFTA Youth Training on Export Readiness Structured training program for young African entrepreneurs and SMEs on rules of origin, customs procedures, market access, and export readiness under the AfCFTA.
• AfCFTA National Implementation Committee Support Advisory and technical support to AfCFTA National Implementation Committees in member states, including youth representation in national trade policy processes.
• Trade Data Collection and Research Collection of trade data and production of research that informs AfCFTA-related advocacy and policy briefs for member states, the African Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
• Young Experts Network A continental network of young African trade and policy experts who contribute research, technical input, and youth voices to AfCFTA implementation processes.
• YouLead Africa Summit Continental youth summit hosted jointly with YouLead Africa that convenes young leaders, policymakers, and partners to advance youth-led trade and development agendas.
• ICOYACA Country Chapters Network A pan-African network of ICOYACA country chapters that coordinate local AfCFTA-related youth engagement, training, and advocacy activities across African member states.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 young entrepreneurs trained and mentored
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• YouLead AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouLead Africa is ICOYACA's Mother Entity and primary organizational parent. MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation is the ultimate mother body. YouLead Africa provides organizational support and framework through which ICOYACA's operations are sustained. All ICOYACA Champions automatically become YouLead Africa Ambassadors.
• African Union / AfCFTA SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICOYACA was unveiled by the AfCFTA Secretariat and supports its vital work. The Secretariat supports all ICOYACA engagements and provides formal institutional legitimacy. ICOYACA contributes to AfCFTA protocol development, including the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNECA co-organizes the AfCFTA Moot Court Competition and provides technical support to most ICOYACA projects. Active collaborator on continental trade policy engagement.
• MS-Training Centre for Development CooperationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ultimate mother body of ICOYACA. Through YouLead Africa affiliation, MS-Training Centre supports the council's operations and organizational sustainability.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICOYACA has organized consultative dialogues with youth and side-events over the years on human rights and trade intersection.
• East African Community (EAC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAC is a key partner in AfCFTA implementation, particularly for East African trade facilitation. ICOYACA works with EAC on harmonizing standards and youth inclusion in regional integration.
• East African Business Council (EABC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEABC co-organizes webinars and coaching sessions on quality compliance and digital solutions. Active partner in SME AfCFTA readiness programs across East Africa.
• GoogleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle partners with AfCFTA Secretariat on the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Programme, powered by Google's Hustle Academy. Aims to skill 7,500 African SMEs in AI, cloud tools, and cross-border digital trade.
• MicrosoftflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft AI Tour and Skilling Initiative in Kenya trains organizational leaders, professionals, and MSMEs in AI and cybersecurity. Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling has registered nearly 6,500 public sector officials.
• AUDA-NEPADcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUDA-NEPAD's AKILI AI platform, launched with Meta and Deloitte, offers MSME UpSkill Lab providing practical AI skills and direct investor access for African entrepreneurs.
• Trade Mark Africa (TMA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMA is the primary architect of Uganda's digital trade infrastructure. Collaborated with Uganda Revenue Authority to integrate 30+ agencies into the Uganda Electronic Single Window. Supports AfCFTA implementation through trade facilitation reforms.
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIDO co-hosts high-level forums on sustainable industrialization at IATF, promoting green value chains and industrial development under AfCFTA.
• Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSFU is the national apex body for private sector engagement in AfCFTA implementation. Conducts nationwide workshops translating AfCFTA into practical guides for local businesses.
• Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUEPB partners with PSFU on nationwide AfCFTA workshops, providing export promotion expertise and market intelligence for Ugandan businesses.
• African Youth Business Council (AfYBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfYBC is the only other youth-led organization present at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2025. ICOYACA collaborates on youth digital trade advocacy.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• African Youth Business Council (AfYBC): The only other youth-led organization present at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2025; directly comparable as a youth-driven advocacy body operating in the same AfCFTA youth-trade space.
• East African Business Council (EABC): Regional apex private-sector body co-organizing AfCFTA readiness webinars and SME coaching with ICOYACA; comparable as a regional trade-facilitation and SME-support peer.
• Trade Mark Africa (TMA): Architect of East African digital trade infrastructure (e.g., Uganda Electronic Single Window) supporting AfCFTA implementation; directly comparable as a trade-facilitation delivery organization working with RECs and national agencies.

Broad incumbents

• YouLead Africa: ICOYACA's mother entity and broader youth-leadership platform hosting the YouLead Africa Summit; comparable as a pan-African youth capacity-building and convening organization.
• African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank): Operates the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and $10B AfCFTA Adjustment Fund; comparable as a continental AfCFTA implementation institution with overlapping trade-facilitation mission.
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA): Co-organizer of ICOYACA's Moot Court Competition and provider of technical support; comparable as a continental policy and trade-research institution with overlapping youth-in-trade mandate.
• MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation: Ultimate mother body of ICOYACA; a development cooperation training center with comparable continental footprint and youth/development mandate.
• AUDA-NEPAD: African Union development agency operating the AKILI AI MSME UpSkill Lab; comparable as a continental institution driving youth/MSME inclusion in Africa's economic agenda under AU mandate.

Regional players

• Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU): National apex body translating AfCFTA into practical SME guides; comparable as a country-level AfCFTA implementation partner running nationwide workshops and capacity-building programs.

Others

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Implements the Q-Boost Programme under the Alliance for Product Quality in Africa supporting SME quality certification; comparable as a development partner funding AfCFTA-aligned SME capacity building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICOYACA
• Instagraminstagram.com/icoyaca
• Facebookfacebook.com/AfCFTAAdvisory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afcftayouthadvisorycouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Independent Continental Youth Advisory Council on AfCFTA