The Republic of Congo has reinforced its commitment to youth-led development with the conclusion of the nationwide Workshop of the Future competition, which recognised 70 outstanding young innovators and unveiled new projects aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth.
The grand finale, held at the Congress Palace in Brazzaville between January 27 and 28, 2026, attracted 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.
Structured around seven strategic categories aligned with national development priorities, the competition covered areas including entrepreneurship, mobility, civic engagement, education, communication, social responsibility and grassroots innovation.
These themes, organisers explained, were designed to mirror the most pressing needs and opportunities within Congolese society.
From nearly 200 applications submitted nationwide, 70 finalists, ten from each category, were selected through a public voting process.
Moreover, the approach ensured strong community participation while giving visibility to ideas rooted in local realities.
Participants presented solutions spanning technology-driven businesses, educational reforms, social initiatives and civic engagement models.
Beyond recognition, the programme emphasised implementation.
Organisers said participants received media exposure, mentorship from industry experts, funding advice and strategic guidance, all aimed at turning promising concepts into viable projects with long-term impact.
A member of the jury described L’Atelier de l’Avenir as a rare opportunity to showcase the depth of talent among Congolese youth.
According to the jury, the finalists’ performances underscored the capacity of young people to contribute meaningfully to national transformation when given the right support.
The event also served as a launch platform for new digital and civic initiatives.
One of the highlights was the unveiling of Afree, a social networking platform built to prioritise freedom of expression, data privacy and personalised content using neural network technology.
To mark its launch, organisers raffled 50 smartphones to participants.
Furthermore, a creative gaming initiative titled Future of Congo was introduced, encouraging users to complete environmentally and socially beneficial tasks in exchange for reward points redeemable for prizes.
Organisers said the project blends innovation with civic responsibility, particularly targeting younger audiences.
The Workshop of the Future, spearheaded by the Avenir du Congo movement, seeks to identify and amplify youth-led projects across entrepreneurship, education, culture, sports and social activism.
Ultimately, the initiative promotes active citizenship, urging young people to take ownership of national development.
As the event concluded, organisers and participants alike shared a common outlook: Congo’s future is increasingly being shaped by a generation of young innovators determined to turn ideas into lasting national impact.