The Republic of Congo has taken a major step toward youth-driven national development with the successful conclusion of the nationwide “Workshop of the Future” competition, which celebrated 70 outstanding young laureates and unveiled several innovative projects aimed at advancing the country’s socio-economic growth.
The grand finale of the event was held at the Congress Palace in Brazzaville from January 27 to 28, 2026, drawing more than 100 finalists and an audience of over 2,000 participants. The initiative was organised under the patronage of the Avenir du Congo movement in partnership with the Globus Association.
The competition, regarded as a pioneering platform for discovering and nurturing young Congolese leaders, focused on seven strategic categories aligned with the country’s development priorities. These included 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 submitted nationwide, 70 finalists, ten from each category were selected through a popular voting process, reflecting both public engagement and grassroots support. Contestants showcased innovative solutions addressing key societal challenges, with proposals ranging from technology startups and educational initiatives to social and civic engagement projects.
Organisers said the competition was designed not only to spotlight talent but also to provide practical support for transforming ideas into reality. Participants benefited from media exposure, expert mentorship, funding guidance and implementation recommendations, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to youth empowerment and innovation.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the jury described L’Atelier de l’Avenir, the French name for Workshop of the Future, as an exceptional platform for unveiling the creativity and competence of Congolese youth.
“The performances of the finalists demonstrated that with the right support, young people possess the capacity to drive meaningful national transformation,” the jury representative said.
The event also served as a launchpad for new technological and civic initiatives. Among the highlights was the unveiling of Afree, a new social networking platform designed to promote freedom of expression, user privacy and personalised content delivery through advanced neural network technology. To mark its debut, 50 smartphones were raffled to participants.
In addition, organisers introduced Future of Congo, a creative gaming initiative that encourages users to complete environmentally and socially beneficial tasks in exchange for reward points redeemable for prizes.
The Workshop of the Future initiative, spearheaded by the Avenir du Congo movement, aims to identify, support and amplify youth-led projects across sectors such as entrepreneurship, education, culture, sports and social activism. The movement promotes active citizenship and innovation, encouraging young people to move beyond passivity and take ownership of national development.
As the curtains closed on the event, one message stood out clearly: Congo’s future is being shaped by its youth visionary, innovative and determined to transform ideas into lasting impact.
