On 5–6 October 2026, parliamentarians, legal experts, institutional representatives and civil society actors gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the second meeting of the WYDE Parliamentary Caucus, dedicated to advancing a legislative proposal aimed at strengthening youth representation in elected assemblies and public decision-making bodies.

Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Political Dialogue West Africa within the framework of WYDE Political Parties, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union, the two-day workshop marked an important step in a process seeking to translate political dialogue on youth inclusion into concrete legislative reform.

From political participation to legislative reform

With an average population age of just 23.2 years, according to the 2021 national census, Côte d’Ivoire is a country where young people represent a significant share of society but remain underrepresented in elected institutions and public decision-making.

Although the country’s legal framework recognises the importance of youth participation, including through the 2023 Youth Orientation Law, significant challenges remain in ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to access political leadership and influence public policy.

Building on the first meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus, this second workshop focused on the examination and further development of a draft bill on youth representation in elected assemblies and public decision-making bodies.

At the centre of the discussions was a proposal to introduce a mandatory minimum quota of 30% young candidates, aged between 18 and 35, in elections to the National Assembly, Senate, regional councils and municipal councils, subject to the specific provisions applicable to each electoral process.

Importantly, the proposed legislation goes beyond numerical representation. It includes provisions concerning the positioning of young candidates on electoral lists, mechanisms to ensure compliance with the quota, and incentives for political parties to strengthen youth representation. It also addresses opportunities for young people to access certain appointed public positions.

The objective is not simply to increase the number of young candidates, but to create more effective pathways for young women and men to participate in political decision-making.

Bringing together political, legal and institutional perspectives

The workshop brought together different perspectives to examine both the opportunities and the challenges associated with the proposed reform.

Discussions explored comparative experiences in youth political participation across Africa and beyond, alongside the legal, political and socio-cultural barriers that continue to limit young people’s access to elected office in Côte d’Ivoire.

Contributions from representatives of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), the Centre Ahou, legal specialists and political researchers helped frame the debate around the country’s institutional context and existing legal commitments.

A central component of the programme was the technical examination of the revised draft legislation. Legal experts reviewed its provisions, considering their consistency with existing electoral regulations and the practical requirements for implementation.

Parliamentary perspectives were also an essential part of the process. Senator Alexandre Ahouassa and Member of Parliament Cissé Tiemoko were included in a dedicated discussion examining the proposed legislation and the political and institutional challenges surrounding its potential adoption.

The workshop also drew on research conducted in 2025 by KAS and Centre Ahou, connecting the legislative discussions with evidence on the barriers and opportunities affecting youth political participation.

Building a more inclusive political framework

One of the most significant aspects of the draft legislation is its attempt to move beyond voluntary commitments towards enforceable measures.

Under the working proposal, compliance with the youth quota would become a condition for the admissibility of the electoral candidacies concerned. Political parties and electoral authorities would therefore have clearly defined responsibilities in ensuring that the requirements are respected.

The draft also seeks to address a recurring challenge in political representation: ensuring that candidates included to fulfil quotas have realistic opportunities to be elected, rather than occupying positions with limited electoral prospects.

At the same time, the proposed measures are designed to complement existing legislation promoting women’s political representation, recognising the importance of ensuring that young women also benefit from greater access to elected office.

By addressing electoral candidacies, political party responsibilities and public appointments, the proposal reflects a broader ambition to strengthen intergenerational representation within Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic institutions.

Building a more inclusive political framework

The second Parliamentary Caucus meeting represents an important stage in an ongoing legislative process. While the draft bill remains under development and has not been adopted into law, its examination by parliamentarians, legal experts and institutional stakeholders creates an opportunity to explore concrete mechanisms for strengthening youth representation.

The significance of this initiative lies in its ambition to move from recognising the importance of youth participation to examining how that participation can be guaranteed through institutional and legal frameworks.

Through WYDE Political Parties, ENoP and its implementing partners continue to support political dialogue, institutional cooperation and initiatives that strengthen the participation of women and young people in democratic governance.

By bringing legislative reform into the conversation, the Parliamentary Caucus offers an opportunity to address one of the central challenges facing representative democracy: ensuring that political institutions better reflect the societies they serve.

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Event Details

• Event: WYDE Parliamentary Caucus – Activity 2
• Theme: Youth Political Participation in Côte d’Ivoire: Exploring Ways to Strengthen the Regulatory Framework
• Dates: 5–6 October 2026
• Location: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Office, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
• Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) – Political Dialogue West Africa
• Project: WYDE Political Parties – led by ENoP and funded by the European Union
• Participants: Parliamentarians, representatives of public institutions, legal experts, researchers, civil society actors and project partners
• Main topics: Youth political representation, legislative reform, electoral quotas, political party responsibilities, legal and institutional barriers, gender inclusion and evidence-based advocacy
• Key focus: Examination and further development of a draft bill proposing a minimum 30% youth quota in electoral candidacies and additional measures to strengthen youth representation in public decision-making.