Congo workshop honours 70 young innovators, unveils new project.

The competition celebrated innovation, leadership and civic engagement among young Congolese developers. The grand finale, held at the Congress Palace in Brazzaville between January 27 and 28, 2026, brought together more than 100 finalists and an audience exceeding 2,000 participants.

The initiative was organised under the patronage of the 'Avenir du Congo' movement, in collaboration with the Globus Association, positioning the programme as a flagship platform for youth empowerment, as a major platform for identifying, mentoring and promoting young leaders committed to Congo’s socioeconomic transformation.

Competitors focused on seven strategic categories aligned with the country’s development priorities. They presented solutions addressing pressing social challenges, with projects spanning technology, education, entrepreneurship, culture and civic participation. 

They included themes such as, My Business is My Country; Movement is Life; Voice of the Nation; Teacher of the Future; Words Matter; Good Deeds Are Our Strength; and Popular Ideas for the Future.

Out of nearly 200 applications, 70 finalists of which ten were shortlisted from each category—were selected through a public voting process, reflecting strong citizen engagement and widespread interest in youth innovation. 

Organisers noted that beyond recognition, the initiative offers concrete support mechanisms to help transform ideas into reality. 

These include media exposure, expert mentoring, funding opportunities and implementation guidance, aimed at fostering youth empowerment and sustainable innovation.

Speaking at the event, a representative of the jury described the competition as an exceptional platform for unveiling the talents and competencies of Congolese youth, stressing that with adequate support, their potential can significantly contribute to national development.

Digital Civic Initiative launched 

The event also served as a forum to launch the innovative digital and civic initiatives. Among them was the official unveiling of Afree, a new social networking platform designed to promote freedom of expression, user privacy and personalised content through advanced Artificial Intelligence. To mark its launch, 50 smartphones were raffled to participants.

Another highlight was the presentation of the “Future of Congo” gaming initiative, an interactive platform that encourages environmentally and socially responsible actions, rewarding users with redeemable points.

The “Workshop of the Future” initiative, spearheaded by the Avenir du Congo Movement, seeks to identify, nurture and amplify youth-led projects capable of driving Congo’s economic and social progress. 

The movement positions itself as a unifying platform for young people, empowering them through education, innovation and digital tools to actively shape the nation’s future.

As the curtains fell on the event, one message stood clear: Congo’s future is being shaped by a generation of determined young innovators ready to turn vision into action.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3693 of Wednesday February 04, 2026