By By: Staff Writer
Egypt, Caro — A prominent graduate of the Nasser Fellowship for International Leadership, Eng. Hitam Al Zahaf, has been appointed Libya’s new Minister of Youth, marking a significant step in the country’s push to empower its young population.
The decision, issued by the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, places one of the nation’s most influential youth advocates at the helm of youth development. Al Zahaf is widely recognized for his longstanding commitment to civic engagement and youth empowerment across Libya.
Over the years, he has led and coordinated a range of impactful initiatives that brought together young people from across the country, focusing on capacity-building, leadership development, and expanding youth participation in public life.
Al Zahaf’s career has been defined by strategic leadership within key youth institutions. He previously served as Director of the Youth Empowerment Department, where he oversaw major reforms in youth programs and supervised the Local Youth Councils Project. He also spearheaded the “Leaders of Hope” initiative—an ambitious program designed to groom a new generation of national leaders.
His portfolio further includes leading the Youth Programs and Activities Department, where he chaired the Higher Committee for Youth Camps and played a vital role in organizing national youth events and local council elections.
Beyond government, Al Zahaf has remained instrumental in strengthening youth networks through his work with the Libyan Youth Hostels Association, where he helped modernize operations and enhance coordination across multiple cities.
Regionally and internationally, his influence extends through affiliations with major youth bodies, including the Arab Youth Council and the Pan-African Youth Union. He is also an alumnus of the African Development Bank Young Professionals Program, underscoring his growing footprint beyond Libya.
Reacting to the appointment, Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Nasser International Forum, hailed the move as a proud moment for the fellowship and its alumni network. He noted that Al Zahaf’s elevation reflects the forum’s success in nurturing young leaders capable of shaping national policies and driving development.
Ghazaly emphasized that the fellowship goes beyond training, serving as a platform for building leadership capacity and fostering cooperation among youth from the Global South.
The Forum concluded by congratulating Minister Al Zahaf, expressing confidence that his leadership will inspire a new era of youth inclusion and innovation in Libya’s development agenda.
