Africa’s future depends on the ideas, creativity, and leadership of its young people.
Recognizing this, the African Leadership Forum (ALF) has created a unique opportunity for young minds to contribute to meaningful discussions on leadership and sustainable development.
The Youth Leadership Competition serves as a platform for the next generation of African leaders to voice their perspectives and present innovative solutions to pressing challenges facing the continent.
A Platform for Young Leaders to Shine
Every year, the Youth Leadership Competition invites African citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 to participate in an essay-writing contest.
The competition focuses on a theme linked to the ALF, encouraging participants to share their insights on leadership and sustainable growth.
It’s more than just a writing challenge—it’s a chance to influence discussions at a high level and engage with key decision-makers across Africa.
How the Competition Works
Each essay is carefully evaluated based on originality, organization, creativity, relevance to the theme, and language use.
The best submissions stand out for their fresh perspectives and compelling arguments.
Winning essays don’t just receive recognition; they pave the way for their authors to attend the ALF plenary session, where they are honored during a prestigious award ceremony in front of influential leaders from various sectors.
2025 Competition Theme and Guidelines
This year’s competition asks young Africans to answer an important question:
“If you were an African leader, how would you accelerate the implementation of SDGs on the continent?”
To ensure a fair and structured process, participants must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Must be between 18 and 25 years old and an African citizen (including those in the diaspora).
- Essays must be typed in Arial font, size 11, and single-spaced.
- Page margins should be 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides.
- The word count should be between 500 and 700 words.
- Essays must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document.
Exciting Prizes and Opportunities
Winning this competition is about more than just recognition—it’s a chance to make an impact and connect with Africa’s top leaders.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Up to five winners will be selected and invited to participate in the ALF.
- Winners will design posters to visually showcase their ideas, which will be exhibited at the forum.
- A grand prize of $2,000 USD will be awarded to the overall winner, who will also have the honor of reading their essay at the ALF Gala Dinner.
- All winners will attend a prestigious prize-giving ceremony during the ALF Gala Dinner, in the presence of senior leaders from across Africa.
- For winners residing outside Uganda, UONGOZI Institute will cover their travel expenses, including visa fees, airfare, and accommodation.
Apply Now and Share Your Vision
If you have bold ideas about the future of Africa and leadership’s role in achieving sustainable development, this is your chance to make your voice heard.
The deadline for submissions is February 17, 2025.