In January, we welcomed young Africans once more to engage in important discussions on leadership and sustainable development through our Youth Leadership Competition. Our target remained: African citizens (including the diaspora) between the ages of 18 and 25. We asked them to respond to the following question:
If you were an African leader, how would you accelerate the implementation of SDGs on the continent?
Over 1,300 entries were received, representing an enormous variety of solutions and ideas on how to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. The graphic below represents a snapshot of where contenders were situated.
The essays were judged on the basis of originality, creativity, use of language and appropriateness to contest theme.
Today, we are pleased to announce the top five winners of the contest:
- Overall winner: MacDonald Maduabuchi (Nigeria)
- First runner-up: Takudzwanashe Bvurire (Zimbabwe)
- Second runner-up: Nantambi Bushirah (Uganda)
- Third runner-up: Britney Ngube (Cameroon)
- Fourth runner-up: Paschazia Mbungu (Tanzania)
These young leaders will receive their prizes at an award ceremony during the African Leadership Forum (ALF), hosted by the former President of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, on 7 April 2025, in Kampala, Uganda. The ceremony will be attended by political and business leaders from across Africa.
A grand prize of USD 2,000 will be awarded to the overall winner, and he will be asked to read his essay at the ceremony.
The winners will also have an opportunity to participate in the ALF, as well as showcase posters that visually describe their ideas in the exhibition space.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition. We have been incredibly impressed by the entries and insights they provide.
