Olivia Tutu is a dynamic sustainable development advocate, education activist, content creator, and youth leader dedicated to fostering meaningful youth engagement in Africa and beyond. As the founder of Youth on Sustainable Development, a youth-led organization in Zambia, Olivia empowers young people to take ownership of global and national development agendas, including Agenda 2030, Agenda 2063, and Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan.
With a strong business administration and economics background from the University of Zambia, Olivia has used media—through radio, social media, and strategic advocacy to amplify youth voices in sustainability, climate action, gender equality, education, and civic engagement. Her work has led to collaborations with organizations like UNICEF Zambia, IPPFAR, the European Union in Zambia, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
A firm believer in intergenerational collaboration, Olivia has engaged in high-level discussions at the Summit of the Future, the United Nations General Assembly, and the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. She was pivotal in presenting the African Youth Voices Outcome Document, ensuring that young people’s aspirations were recognized globally.
As an education activist, Olivia advocates for accessible, inclusive, and quality education for all, recognizing its role in shaping Africa’s future. She actively works to create opportunities for young people to gain knowledge and skills that will empower them to lead change in their communities.
Beyond policy advocacy, Olivia is committed to grassroots impact, leading initiatives such as OWN, a campaign instilling a sense of ownership of sustainability frameworks among African Youth, and Cook for Tomorrow, promoting clean cooking solutions. Her work extends to gender equity, civic participation, and climate finance, positioning her as a changemaker in Africa’s development landscape.
A runner at heart, Olivia recently completed a 5K marathon and is training for a 10K, embodying her relentless drive for progress. Whether hosting radio shows, Youth on SDGs or engaging in projects, Common Senses through Generations, she remains at the forefront of conversations shaping Africa’s future.
Olivia Tutu is not just a leader, she is a storyteller, a mobilizer, and a visionary working to create a sustainable, inclusive, and youth-driven world.
Gutsy Chat with Olivia Tutu
1. What fuels your drive to advocate for the SDGs, and how does this work impact African youth?
What fuels my drive to advocate for the SDGs is ‘wanting to give everyone a sense of belonging and to leave no one behind.’ Growing up, I always said my purpose was to improve life for the people closest to me. I wanted to give everyone a sense of belonging because we all want to feel loved, seen, heard, and appreciated.
Fast forward to 2022, I discovered that the tagline for the SDGs was leaving no one behind. That resonated with me, and I posted on Twitter that I’d like to work with or for the United Nations. After that, I started doing my research on the United Nations. I discovered the 70 Sustainable Development Goals or Agenda 2030. It was a roadmap to overcome or find solutions to the challenges that humanity is facing. I took time to study the SDGs, or 17 of them, get a feel of them, and understand how to position myself as an advocate better and what each SDG means for Africa.
Then, over the last few months, I discovered that you can’t advocate for one thing, so advocating for the SDGs is fueled by the passion that I want to see young Africans being part of the global conversations. I travelled last year to different parts of Africa and other parts of the world. I discovered very little representation of the African youths on international issues, sustainability, etc.
I decided to advocate for the SDGs and bring young people on board to empower them. We’re starting with Zambia, of course, because this is my country. How can we empower the Zambian youth to own and drive sustainable development across the local communities? How can we ensure that young people have a say in global issues? How can they add their voice to it?
Now, how does this work impact African youth?
Many of us as young people in Africa lack motivation or are not inspired by sustainable development. Most of the time, those who are part of the system focus on the work they’ve been given to do and their KPIs. Well, as for me, a freelancer running her organization, I get to bring to light the conversations being spoken about and the hopes of inspiring young people to take action.
First, it is at the local community level, at the country level, at the continental level, and then at the global level. Most importantly, they should understand that change starts from within themselves. How do they better themselves, focus on self-development, and ensure their voice matters?
So I hope that my advocacy will then trickle down to an ordinary young person in Africa to know that their voice matters and they need to take center stage in the conversations that are happening around humanity because whether we like it or not, the sustainable development goals are affecting how the world responds to the crisis that humanity is going through. African youth need to find their space, find their footing, find their voice, and be able to own it and speak their mind.
2. How do you think African youth can be more effectively engaged in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Engaging in implementing the sustainable development goals is quite challenging, and that’s something that we are trying to push forward in Zambia. That’s something I’m also moving forward in my capacity. This is to ensure that young people are not only consulted on what they think should be done but also part of the structures, the systems, and the implementation process.
Where there’s value, there’s going to be engagement. When we can prove to world leaders and leaders in our local communities, country, and regions that young people have what it takes, it will be easy for them to trust and work with us.
Now, I know there are a lot of young people that are ready to work, but we haven’t proved ourselves. Wherever you go, whichever path you take in life, whether it’s advocacy, the corporate space, the private sector, or the CSO space, you must prove that you have what it takes to be part of the implementation process.
So there’s a need for young people to do their research thoroughly, equip themselves with the correct information and the necessary skills, and demand that engagement. Because up until we outrightly say we want to be part of the process, chances are that they will not see the need for us to be part of it.
When it comes to our African leaders, most people get into public office or become leaders when they’re a little older. However, Gen Z and the millennials have different styles. You find that someone is 18 and passionate about something, knows what they want to do and how they want to contribute to bettering humanity, and has the skill set.
But for us to have the adults, as I call them; the world leaders who are 50, 55, 60 entrust a specific process or implementation strategy to an 18-year-old or a 25-year-old, is somewhat far-fetched because they think, “When I was 25, I didn’t know much, when I was 18, I didn’t know much.” But what we need to understand or what we need to convince them about is that times have changed. It’s very much for an 18-year-old to be engaged in the implementation strategy.
Now, the key is to value ourselves through research, becoming more equipped, having the necessary information and skill set, and constantly demanding that we are included. This also means becoming interested in what’s happening on the globe, our continent, countries, and communities.
For example, the Summit of the Future drafted a pact for the future, a roadmap to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable development goals. Young people must study the document, understand where youth come in, and start pushing the government and leaders to implement this strategic plan. We must go there with solutions as we demand engagement in the implementation strategy.
3. As an education activist, what role does education play in empowering women to drive sustainable development in Africa?
Nelson Mandela put it right. He says education is the best equalizer. Regarding education’s role in empowering women to drive sustainable development in Africa, I’m going to tell you this: We have very few young people – young women, actually attending higher education. But we don’t understand that when we have women who are literate, appreciate the value of education, and have gone through the education system, they intend to ensure that all of humanity is educated.
There’s a saying in Zambia (I don’t know if it’s across Africa) that says, “When you educate a girl child, you educate the entire community.” What this entails is that when young women are educated, the chances are high that we’ll reduce the rates of teen marriage and teen pregnancy and empower women to take ownership of their reproductive health. Now, one might ask: Why is reproductive health so closely linked to sustainable development?
Studies show the lifespan of a woman decreases the minute they starts giving birth or engaging in sexual activity. When someone is not mentally prepared due to child marriage or teen pregnancy, their productivity is lowered, meaning they cannot drive sustainable development forward. Consequently, poverty rates rise. Whether we acknowledge it or not, studies show that women head most households in Africa. Women are the sole providers: they care for the home, nurture the kids, and manage everything.
Ensuring young women are educated is critical because when you tell a girl, “This is how education can save or change your life,” it resonates. By “education,” we don’t just mean classroom learning. Women can learn business, farming, real estate, and social media management skills that empower them to earn income and improve their households’ livelihoods.
This is why pushing SDG 4 (Quality Education and Lifelong Learning) for women is vital. Educated women lead to a well-educated continent, reducing teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, and poverty. When women know their rights, they stand up for them. When they’re literate, they negotiate better with their male counterparts, advocate for their children’s education (boys and girls), and understand education’s transformative power firsthand.
4. Can you share any personal challenges or obstacles you’ve faced as a young leader and sustainable development advocate and how you overcame them?
Question four. I think one challenge I still face is constantly having to prove myself. Simply put, advocating for an agenda is one thing, but navigating systemic structures and global rules (like those at the United Nations) is another. You realize that you’re not the one calling the shots even as you push solutions. The challenge lies in presenting ideas to world leaders, knowing they may or may not act on them.
This tension exists because I work at two levels: high-level policy influence and grassroots action. I see what people endure firsthand. I’ve lived it, engaged with communities, and witnessed their struggles. Yet, too often, the response is, “You’re young; you have a long way to go.” While youth are included in dialogues, final decisions remain with older leaders. The hurdle is proving your insights on global issues are valid and deserve serious consideration.
Over time, persistence builds credibility. I’ve worked in this space for years, and governments are gradually more willing to listen, consult, and collaborate. While the challenge of being taken seriously persists, it’s lessened as my influence grows. Leaders often cite past disappointments with youth engagement, so the burden is on us to prove we’re a different generation, one with viable solutions.
5. How do you envision the future of sustainable development in Africa, and what role do you see women playing in shaping this future?
Question five. The future of sustainable development in Africa begins with economic freedom. Sustainability means meeting today’s needs without compromising future generations, yet Africa’s current trajectory fails this test. We’re rich in natural resources, but poor leadership sacrifices tomorrow for short-term gains.
I’ve joked that more women in leadership would transform this. Why? Women are nurturers by nature, deeply connected to real-life human experiences. Men often focus on technical solutions, but women bring compassion and a firsthand understanding of healthcare, education, and climate resilience.
Gender equality is inseparable from sustainable development. Women bear the brunt of climate disasters (droughts, floods), educational gaps, and pay inequity. When women lead, progress accelerates. Their solutions are grounded in lived experience, whether addressing maternal health, advocating for girls’ education, or designing inclusive policies.
Putting women at the center ensures solutions are holistic and human-centered. They don’t just theorize; they live the challenges. And when women shape policies, entire communities thrive.
6. How can we better support and empower women and girls in Africa to take on leadership roles in sustainable development?
It all circles back to empowering women with education, skills, and resources. For me, equality means giving women equal opportunities and options. If men have options, women should, too. If a woman wants to be a civil engineer, an influencer, a doctor, a farmer, or even an astronaut, let her. Equality is about presenting women with choices. We can only support women by giving them equal opportunities as we have given men the opportunities and options.
To support this, let’s send our girls to school, empower our women with business skills, negotiating skills, finance their projects, and empower women to be more. It starts from a very young age, and that’s why education is essential. We can change the narratives in our African communities by constantly reminding our girls that they need to go to school or acquire a skill. That they can be anything they put their minds to.
I believe equality will solve so many problems like:
- Gender-based violence
- Exploitation of women and girls
- Early marriages and teenage pregnancies
Education changes everything. But financial support is equally critical. Many African women already excel but lack funding. We ensure their contributions are meaningful and impactful by investing in them and involving them in high-level dialogues (not just for token representation).
7. What are some of the most significant lessons you’ve learned throughout your journey, and how have they shaped your approach to life and work?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is understanding. We are all doing life for the first time. We’re all human first. Titles don’t define us. Interacting with grace and empathy. Understanding this allows us to be graceful towards other people and be empathetic towards them. It has also led me to recognize that everyone feels, hurts, and hopes, and it has deepened my connections with people.
Personal development is another lesson I’ve learnt. It is non-negotiable. If you are a person who wants to acquire development on an individual level, it translates into your work, your life, friends, family, relationships, and other things. I always develop myself personally through activities, books, music, and documentaries unrelated to my job to nurture the person I want to become. When I am genuinely in a happy space and I have my mental health in check, it then translates into other areas of my life.
Prayer does change everything. It’s always important to get back to God, take time out to meditate, to rest, and to always celebrate your small wins. Sometimes, we are too occupied with wanting to change the world and be the better version of ourselves that we forget to celebrate ourselves.
We also need to know that our stories are valid. When I tell my story, it can serve as another person’s hope, solution, or prayer. There’s so much strength in vulnerability; we don’t have to take up a robotic tune or lose ourselves. Women often suppress emotions to fit rigid systems, but genuine connection happens when we’re open.
For instance, in Zambia, we’ve been experiencing a lot of load shedding (power outages). So we have this inside joke: When you go to the store and want to connect with someone, start talking about electricity. Bonding over shared struggles like electricity keeps us human in an AI-driven and technologically advanced world.
8. Can you share a personal experience or story of a woman who has inspired or empowered you?
The woman, so, I have a lot of women, oh my God, I have a lot of women, but I’m gonna give a story of my mom. That’s because I recently celebrated my birthday on the 27th of February; I turned 25. My mom had me when she was 18, still in high school. She didn’t understand how the world worked or what to expect of life. I think I’m saying all this because I look back at when I was 18 and wonder, Whoa, would I have managed to take care of a child? Or even now, at 25, I’m like, Oh my God.
I was around seven years old when my mom was turning 25, and that must have been tough for her. But one thing my mom has constantly done, when I was growing up, she told me, “You have God in heaven who’s your father, but the second thing you should hold on to is education.” My mom never finished high school because she had me, of course. After that, she started doing small jobs to raise me (my dad died when I was very young), so she had the responsibility of raising me as a single mom.
She constantly told me, “Education is your best bet at life. In all you do, get an education.” My mom pushed me from the time I was young up until now, and now I have two other siblings because she remarried. She is still speaking about how important education is for my younger siblings.
My passion for education, my love for education, and my advocacy for education come from my mom. Despite not having acquired an education, she constantly pushed me to be the better version of myself. She would always say, “The things I never did, I want you and your siblings to do. The education I never got the chance to acquire, I want you actually to acquire it.”
My mom has been a great inspiration. She had to navigate life as a single parent, a young girl who didn’t even know what was happening, but managed to raise… such an incredible child. I don’t know about you, but I think I did well. Looking at how hard it was for her, she still did her best, and I turned out this way.
My mom is my inspiration. Every time I look at her, now that I’m a woman, I see her strength unfolding in her story. So, this is a secret (please don’t edit; this is off-record, don’t edit um…), but I’m currently working on my first book, and part of the introduction has my mom’s story.
I sat down with her one morning and asked her: What happened when I was born? How did she feel? What about my grandmother? And things like that. It unlocked a part of her I’d never seen. Now I understand why she parented me the way she did, and it’s easier to relate to her. The more I interact with her as an adult, the more I realize what an incredible woman she’s been.
My mom has been a great inspiration because she’d constantly tell me, even when I was in school: “I want you to have the best life I never did. The education I didn’t acquire, I want you to.” And I saw how hard she worked to ensure that my siblings and I turned out better.
9. How do you think women can support and uplift each other?
Women can support and uplift each other when we understand we are not each other’s competition; we are each other’s allies. If we collaborate instead of compete, we’ll achieve far more. It’s also essential for women to realize that just because another woman is thriving or taking the spotlight doesn’t mean your light has dimmed. Women can coexist and thrive together.
This starts with understanding we’re not rivals. If anything, we need unity to accelerate progress toward equality. If women remain isolated or divided, it could take 130 years to achieve the equality we’re fighting for. So how do we support each other? By being a sister’s keeper.
This might not sound professionally correct, but it’s the little things:
- Check on each other in friendships and daily life.
- Pass opportunities to other women if you’re not qualified or know it’s a better fit for a sister, friend, cousin, or grandmother.
- Represent women collectively. When you’re at a decision-making table, you’re not just speaking for yourself; you’re voicing women’s minds worldwide. Carry that responsibility.
Practically, this means:
- Support initiatives by other women. If someone has a project, find ways to help push it forward.
- Educate and teach each other. Share skills and create groups for therapy, book clubs, or career goal sessions.
- Be there for women who are hurting. Sometimes, we judge women as “psychos” based on their actions, but trauma or lived experiences often shape their behavior.
When we do these things, we show the patriarchal system that women can achieve incredible things when united and empowered. It’s about encouragement, opportunity-sharing, and refusing to let isolation win.
10. To commemorate International Women’s Day, what message would you like to share with women worldwide?
I would like all the women across the globe to know that they are beautiful, loved, and who they think they are. Nothing should hold them back: not past experiences, not past trauma, and not what society says.
Every woman on earth can do whatever they put their minds to. All they have to do is stay disciplined and focused and work in their most authentic self. We’re all doing life for the first time. You are allowed to make mistakes and fail, but guess what? When you fail or make that mistake, clean yourself up and start again.
You can start again as many times as you want. You can start again at 40. You can start again at 25. You can start again at a hundred years old because for as long as you have breath in your lungs and as long as you are alive, you are here for a purpose. And that is all you need to start over if you have to
Don’t be apologetic about being you. If you are soft, there’s so much strength in being soft. There’s so much strength in vulnerability. Don’t try to change yourself because you want to fit into what society thinks is correct or accepted. Sometimes, women want to change themselves because of what society says: “You have to have curves, or you have to speak this way.” We have to take on the center stage.
Be the woman you think you are because, baby, you are a badass. So focus on the price, the life you have built for yourself, and I repeat, you can be anything you put your mind to. All you have to do is stay disciplined and be who God has called you to be. Thank you.
Olivia’s Work at the UN
