Who We Are

The Intentional Youth Initiative Africa (TIYI Africa), is a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC) established under Section 13 of the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008 of the Republic of South Africa. Founded by Dr. Catherine Egbe, a distinguished public health scientist and research psychologist, TIYI Africa was born out of a vision to empower young Africans to live purposeful, responsible, and impactful lives. The organization serves as a movement for personal transformation, leadership, and empowerment among youth across Africa. It operates with a clear mission to nurture the next generation of intentional leaders who can first build themselves in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the continent at large. TIYI Africa stands as a beacon of hope and transformation, deeply rooted in the belief that the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but are the changemakers of today

Vision

To raise a generation of intentional young Africans who are self-aware, purpose-driven, and actively contributing to positive change in their societies. TIYI Africa envisions an Africa where youth are mentally strong, socially responsible, and empowered to innovate, lead, and transform their communities with integrity and courage.

Mission

To empower, equip, and engage African youth through leadership training, educational advancement, public & mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship development, and community service initiatives that promote intentional living, self-development, and sustainable growth.

Core Objectives

TIYI Africa operates with clearly defined objectives that guide its programs and community impact initiatives. The organization’s main objectives include:

1. Empowering Youth Leadership: To develop and promote leadership skills among African youth through mentorship programs, workshops, and community engagement.
2. Fostering Educational Advancement: To improve access to quality education by providing scholarships, tutoring, and academic support programs, particularly for underprivileged youth.
3. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing: To raise awareness about mental health challenges, promote emotional resilience, and prevent substance abuse through education and counseling initiatives.
4. Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Innovation: To inspire and train young people to develop business ideas, think creatively, and pursue social entrepreneurship as a means to combat unemployment and drive economic growth.
5. Supporting Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility: To build a culture of service and volunteerism by involving youth in community improvement and advocacy projects.
6. Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion: To create safe and inclusive spaces that empower young women and marginalized groups, encouraging equal opportunity and active participation in leadership.
7. Building Partnerships for Development: To collaborate with government agencies, private sector institutions, NGOs, and educational organizations to extend the impact of youth-focused programs.
8. Monitoring Impact and Promoting Continuous Improvement: To evaluate and enhance all initiatives using data-driven approaches that ensure measurable results and long-term sustainability.

Governance Structure

TIYI Africa operates as an independent organization governed by a dedicated board of directors. The organization functions with transparency, accountability, and professionalism, ensuring that all activities align with its mission and core values.

Board of Directors

The current board comprises three highly committed members who bring expertise, leadership, and a shared passion for youth development:

• Dr. Catherine O. Egbe: Founder, Director, and Chairperson. Dr. Egbe is a Senior Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council and an international researcher recognized for her contributions to public health, tobacco control, and youth empowerment.
• Dr. Anthony O. Oyowe: Secretary. A scholar and development advocate dedicated to promoting ethical governance and human capacity building across Africa.
• Bonede Thato Mmako: Organizer. A passionate youth leader and community development strategist who plays a key role in grassroots mobilization and coordination.

Governance Principles

The board acts in accordance with the resolutions of the organization and ensures that all decisions reflect TIYI Africa’s mission and the interests of its members. The directors oversee all operational, financial, and strategic functions. Each office bearer serves a renewable three-year term, with provisions for re-election based on performance and continued commitment to the organization’s goals. The board holds quarterly meetings and an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to evaluate progress, report to stakeholders, and plan future projects.

Programs and Initiatives

TIYI Africa’s flagship programs is The Intentional Youth Festival (TIY-FEST), which brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to showcase their talents in music, dance, and poetry while fostering creativity, confidence, and community building. The maiden edition of TIY-FEST was held on 1st May 2025 in Soulsville, Pretoria. TIYI Africa will be running a range of programs across its key focus areas. These include youth leadership workshops, mentorship forums, entrepreneurship training, scholarship schemes, as well as public and mental health advocacy campaigns. The organization also looks to facilitate community development projects that address issues such as unemployment, education inequality, and gender-based violence.

TIYI Africa will be actively partnering with local organizations, law enforcement, companies seeking to impact local communities and educational institutions to drive sustainable impact at the community level.

Call to Action

The Intentional Youth Africa Initiative represents a movement of hope, empowerment, and transformation. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Catherine O. Egbe, the organization continues to shape a new narrative for African youth—one that emphasizes purpose, resilience, and intentional living. TIYI Africa is more than an organization; it is a call to action for every young African to rise, lead, and live with intention. Through mentorship, education, advocacy, and innovation, TIYI Africa remains committed to creating an Africa where every young person has the opportunity, confidence, and support to fulfill their potential and positively influence the world around them.

Do you want to partner with us? Reach out to the Founder and Director, TIYI Africa  here

Your support whether in Cash or in Kind would be most appreciated.

Disclaimer: We do not partner with industries that are involved in the manufacturing and sale of health-harming and addictive products and services like tobacco, e-cigarette, alcohol and  gambling.