# List of African youth bests in athletics

African youth bests in the sport of athletics are the all-time best marks set in competition by African athletes aged 17 or younger throughout the entire calendar year of the performance. Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) doesn't maintain an official list for such performances. All bests shown on this list are tracked by statisticians not officially sanctioned by the governing body.

## Outdoor
### Boys

| Event | Record | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Meet | Place | Age |
| 100m | 10.20 (+1.5 m/s) | Tlotliso Leotlela | South Africa | 7 September 2015 | Commonwealth Youth Games | Apia, Samoa | 17 years, 118 days |
| 100m | 10.2 A h NWI | Retshidisitswe Mlenga | South Africa | 4 March 2016 | | Germiston, South Africa | 16 years, 6 days |
| 200 m | 20.43 (-0.4 m/s) | Sinesipho Dambile | South Africa | 15 March 2019 | AGN Youth, Junior & Senior Championships | Pretoria, South Africa | 17 years, 13 days |
| 200 m | 20.32 NWI | Sinesipho Dambile | South Africa | 15 March 2019 | | Pretoria, South Africa | 17 years, 13 days |
| 400 m | 45.15 A | Riaan Dempers | South Africa | 6 May 1994 | | Secunda, South Africa | 17 years, 63 days |
| 800 m | 1:43.37 | Mohammed Aman | Ethiopia | 10 September 2011 | Rieti Meeting | Rieti, Italy | 17 years, 243 days |
| 1000 m | 2:17.59 | Japheth Kimutai | Kenya | 23 August 1995 | | Copenhagen, Denmark | 16 years, 246 days |
| 1500 m | 3:33.72 | Nicholas Kiptanui Kemboi | Kenya | 18 August 2006 | Weltklasse Zürich | Zürich, Switzerland | 16 years, 243 days |
| Mile | 3:54.56 | Isaac Kiprono Songok | Kenya | 20 August 2001 | | Linz, Austria | 17 years, 117 days |
| 2000 m | 4:56.86 | Isaac Kiprono Songok | Kenya | 31 August 2001 | ISTAF | Berlin, Germany | 17 years, 128 days |
| 3000 m | 7:32.37 | Abreham Cherkos | Ethiopia | 11 July 2006 | | Lausanne, Switzerland | 16 years, 291 days |
| Two miles | 8:16.07 | Abreham Cherkos | Ethiopia | 28 May 2006 | | Eugene, United States | 16 years, 247 days |
| 5000 m | 12:54.19 | Abreham Cherkos | Ethiopia | 14 July 2006 | Golden Gala | Rome, Italy | 16 years, 294 days |
| 5 km (road) | 13:04 | Biniam Mehary | Ethiopia | 9 December 2023 | Annual Charity Run | Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia | 16 years, 354 days |
| 10000 m | 27:02.81 | Ibrahim Jeilan | Ethiopia | 25 August 2006 | Memorial Van Damme | Brussels, Belgium | 17 years, 74 days |
| 10 km (road) | 28:05 | Abayneh Degu | Ethiopia | 11 October 2015 | Grand 10 Berlin | Berlin, Germany | 16 years, 314 days |
| 20 km (road) | 58:20 | Phaustin Baha Sulle | Tanzania | 17 October 1999 | 20 Kilomètres de Paris | Paris, France | 17 years, 140 days |
| Half marathon | 1:00:38 | Phaustin Baha Sulle | Tanzania | 4 September 1999 | Lille Half Marathon | Lille, France | 17 years, 97 days |
| Marathon | | | | | | | |
| 110 m hurdles (91.4 cm) | | | | | | | |
| 110 m hurdles (99/100 cm) | | | | | | | |
| 110 m hurdles (106.7 cm) | | | | | | | |
| 400 m hurdles (84.0 cm) | 48.84 | Sokwakhana Zazini | South Africa | 17 March 2017 | Gauteng North Championships | Pretoria, South Africa | 16 years, 175 days |
| 400 m hurdles (91.4 cm) | 48.89 | Louis Jacob van Zyl | South Africa | 19 July 2002 | | Kingston, Jamaica | 16 years, 364 days |
| 2000 m steeplechase | 5:21.36 | Nabil Ouhaddi | Morocco | 16 July 2006 | | Rabat, Morocco | 16 years, 335 days |
| 3000 m steeplechase | 8:12.28 | Getnet Wale | Ethiopia | 11 June 2017 | Fanny Blankers-Koen Games | Hengelo, Netherlands | 16 years, 330 days |
| High jump | 2.25 m | Jacques Freitag | South Africa | 1 July 1999 | | Pretoria, South Africa | 17 years, 20 days |
| High jump | 2.25 m | Breyton Poole | South Africa | 4 November 2017 | Western Province Athletics Open Meeting | Cape Town, South Africa | 17 years, 226 days |
| Pole vault | 5.30 m | Kyle Rademeyer | South Africa | 29 March 2019 | South African U18 Championships | Paarl, South Africa | 17 years, 59 days |
| Long jump | 7.75 m (+1.2 m/s) | Sifiso Miya | South Africa | 11 December 2018 | AUSC Region 5 Youth Games | Gaborone, Botswana | 17 years, 193 days |
| Triple jump | 16.22 m (+2.0 m/s) | Ineh Emmeanuel Oritsemeyiwa | Nigeria | 26 July 2018 | African Youth Games | Algiers, Algeria | 17 years, 131 days |
| Shot put (5 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Shot put (5.44 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Shot put (6 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Shot put (7.26 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Discus throw (1.5 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Discus throw (1.75 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Discus throw (2 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Hammer throw (5 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Hammer throw (6 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Hammer throw (7.26 kg) | | | | | | | |
| Javelin throw (700 g) | | | | | | | |
| Javelin throw (800 g) | | | | | | | |
| Octathlon | | | | | | | |
| Octathlon | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | (100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) / (110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m) | |
| Decathlon | | | | | | | |
| Decathlon | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m |
| 10000 m walk (track) | 40:55.96 | Yohanis Algaw | Ethiopia | 23 July 2016 | World U20 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 16 years, 344 days |
| 10 km walk (road) | 43:34 | Rayen Jallali | Algeria | 24 January 2025 | Batna Race Walk International Meeting | Batna, Algeria | 16 years, 357 days |
| 20000 m walk (track) | | | | | | | |
| 20 km walk (road) | | | | | | | |
| 50000 m walk (track) | | | | | | | |
| 50 km walk (road) | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 100 m relay | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 400 m relay | | | | | | | |
| Medley relay | | | | | | | |

### Girls

| Event | Record | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Meet | Place | Age |
| 100 m | 11.22 A (+0.2 m/s) | Viwe Jingqi | South Africa | 31 March 2022 | ASA U18 Championships | Potchefstroom, South Africa | 17 years, 42 days |
| 200 m | 23.24 (0.0 m/s) | Favour Ofili | Nigeria | 26 June 2019 | African Games Trials | Abuja, Nigeria | 16 years, 177 days |
| 400 m | 50.99 A | Beatrice Masilingi | Namibia | 3 October 2020 | Kip Keino Classic | Nairobi, Kenya | 17 years, 176 days |
| 800 m | 1:59.74 | Diribe Welteji | Ethiopia | 12 July 2018 | World U20 Championships | Tampere, Finland | 16 years, 60 days |
| 1000 m | 2:37.9 h | Zola Budd | South Africa | 7 February 1983 | | Bloemfontein, South Africa | 16 years, 257 days |
| 1500 m | 3:54.93 | Birke Haylom | Ethiopia | 16 July 2023 | Kamila Skolimowska Memorial | Chorzów, Poland | 17 years, 191 days |
| Mile | 4:17.13 | Birke Haylom | Ethiopia | 15 June 2023 | Bislett Games | Oslo, Norway | 17 years, 160 days |
| 2000 m | 5:46.5+ | Sally Barsosio | Kenya | 16 August 1995 | Weltklasse Zürich | Zürich, Switzerland | 17 years, 148 days |
| 3000 m | 8:39.00 | Zola Budd | South Africa | 2 April 1983 | | Durban, South Africa | 16 years, 311 days |
| 5000 m | 14:37.94 | Birke Haylom | Ethiopia | 23 July 2023 | Anniversary Games | London, United Kingdom | 17 years, 198 days |
| 5 km (road) | 14:53 | Medina Eisa | Ethiopia | 30 April 2022 | Adizero Road to Records | Herzogenaurach, Germany | 17 years, 117 days |
| 10000 m | 31:15.38 | Sally Barsosio | Kenya | 21 August 1993 | World Championships | Stuttgart, Germany | 15 years, 153 days |
| 10 km (road) | 30:38 | Yenawa Nbret | Ethiopia | 22 September 2024 | tRUNsylvania International 10K | Brasov, Romania | 17 years, 127 days |
| Half marathon | 1:08:25 | Alem Nigussie | Ethiopia | 20 October 2019 | Delhi Half Marathon | New Delhi, India | 17 years, 292 days |
| Marathon | | | | | | | |
| 100 m hurdles (76.2 cm) | | | | | | | |
| 100 m hurdles (84 cm) | | | | | | | |
| 400 m hurdles | 56.50 | Kate Obilor | Nigeria | 22 July 2001 | Nigerian Championships | Lagos, Nigeria | 16 years, 5 days |
| 2000 m steeplechase | 6:11.83 | Korahubish Itaa | Ethiopia | 10 July 2009 | World Youth Championships | Brixen, Italy | 17 years, 132 days |
| 3000 m steeplechase | 9:24.73 | Celliphine Chepteek Chespol | Kenya | 14 May 2016 | Shanghai Golden Grand Prix | Shanghai, China | 17 years, 52 days |
| High jump | 1.96 m A | Charmaine Weavers | South Africa | 4 April 1981 | | Bloemfontein, South Africa | 17 years, 36 days |
| Pole vault | | | | | | | |
| Long jump | 6.45 m | Ibifuro Tobin-West | Nigeria | 29 June 2001 | AAC Region II Meet | Lagos, Nigeria | 15 years, 190 days |
| Triple jump | 13.38 m (+1.5 m/s) | Ibifuro Tobin-West | Nigeria | 3 July 2002 | | Limoges, France | 16 years, 194 days |
| Shot put (3 kg) | 18.18 m | Zonica Lindeque | South Africa | 10 April 2021 | ASA Age Group Championships | Paarl, South Africa | 17 years, 47 days |
| Discus throw | | | | | | | |
| Hammer throw (3 kg) | 66.99 A | Tharina Van Der Walt | South Africa | 13 May 2017 | | Pretoria, South Africa | 17 years, 80 days |
| Javelin throw | | | | | | | |
| Heptathlon | | | | | | | |
| Heptathlon | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | 100m H (wind) High jump Shot put 200m (wind) Long jump (wind) Javelin 800m | |
| 5000 m walk (track) | 22:48.25 | Ayalnesh Dejene | Ethiopia | 18 July 2015 | World Youth Championships | Cali, Colombia | 17 years, 179 days |
| 10000 m walk (track) | 49:42.48 | Janise Nell | South Africa | 10 April 2021 | ASA Age Group Championships | Paarl, South Africa | 17 years, 74 days |
| 10 km walk (road) | | | | | | | |
| 20000 m walk (track) | | | | | | | |
| 10 km walk (road) | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 100 m relay | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 400 m relay | | | | | | | |
| Medley relay | | | | | | | |

## Indoor
### Boys

| Event | Record | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Meet | Place | Age |
| 60 m | 6.72 | Ahmed Awesu | Nigeria | 10 January 2004 | Sharon Anderson Memorial | Toronto, Canada | 16 years, 96 days |
| 200 m | | | | | | | |
| 400 m | 47.35 | Victor Akhalu | Nigeria | 7 March 2020 | NJCAA Championships | Lynchburg, United States | 16 years, 160 days |
| 800 m | 1:48.12 | Mohammed Aman | Ethiopia | 8 February 2011 | Meeting Pas de Calais | Liévin, France | 17 years, 29 days |
| 1000 m | | | | | | | |
| 1500 m | 3:37.61 | Melkeneh Azeze | Ethiopia | 12 February 2022 | PSD Bank Meeting Dortmund | Dortmund, Germany | 17 years, 42 days |
| Mile | | | | | | | |
| 2000 m | 4:57.74 | Yomif Kejelcha | Ethiopia | 28 February 2014 | Meeting National en salle de Metz | Metz, France | 16 years, 211 days |
| 3000 m | 7:42.05 | Yomif Kejelcha | Ethiopia | 26 January 2014 | Meeting National en salle de Bordeaux | Bordeaux, France | 16 years, 178 days |
| 5000 m | | | | | | | |
| 60 m hurdles | | | | | | | |
| 60 m hurdles (91.4 cm) | 7.87 | Nathan Nsakala | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 12 February 2017 | French U18 Championships | Nantes, France | 16 years, 293 days |
| High jump | | | | | | | |
| Pole vault | | | | | | | |
| Long jump | | | | | | | |
| Triple jump | | | | | | | |
| Shot put | | | | | | | |
| Heptathlon | | | | | | | |
| Heptathlon | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m | 60m Long jump Shot put High jump 60m H Pole vault 1000m |
| 5000 m walk | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 400 m relay | | | | | | | |

### Girls

| Event | Record | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Meet | Place | Age |
| 60 m | | | | | | | |
| 200 m | | | | | | | |
| 400 m | | | | | | | |
| 800 m | 2:02.64 | Diribe Welteji | Ethiopia | 10 February 2019 | Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais | Liévin, France | 16 years, 273 days |
| 1500 m | 4:06.62+ | Saron Berhe | Ethiopia | 30 January 2024 | Czech Indoor Gala | Ostrava, Czech Republic | 16 years, 156 days |
| Mile | 4:24.23 | Saron Berhe | Ethiopia | 30 January 2024 | Czech Indoor Gala | Ostrava, Czech Republic | 16 years, 156 days |
| 3000 m | 8:39.80 | Marta Alemayo | Ethiopia | 25 January 2025 | Astana Indoor Meeting | Astana, Kazhakstan | 16 years, 292 days |
| 5000 m | | | | | | | |
| 60 m hurdles | | | | | | | |
| 60 m hurdles (76.2 cm) | 8.58 | Manuella Cancade | Cameroon | 17 January 2016 | | Lyon, France | 16 years, 104 days |
| High jump | | | | | | | |
| Pole vault | 4.11 m | Sydney Rothman | South Africa | 14 February 2007 | 14e AV PEC 1910 Indoor | Apeldoorn, Netherlands | 16 years, 266 days |
| Long jump | | | | | | | |
| Triple jump | 13.36 m | Tessy Ebosele | Nigeria | 16 February 2019 | Spanish Championships | Antequera, Spain | 16 years, 203 days |
| Shot put | | | | | | | |
| Pentathlon | | | | | | | |
| Pentathlon | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m | 60m H High jump Shot put Long jump 800m |
| 3000 m walk | | | | | | | |
| 4 × 400 m relay | | | | | | | |