UONGOZI Institute’s Youth Leadership Competition 2025 for Young Africans (Up to $2,000 & Fully Funded to Kampala, Uganda)

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Applications are open for UONGOZI Institute’s Youth Leadership Competition 2025. The Youth Leadership Competition is organized as a component of the African Leadership Forum (ALF) to provide a space for the youth of Africa and the next generation of leaders in the region to contribute to important discussions on leadership and sustainable development.

In each contest, African citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are asked to write about their perspectives on leadership as it relates to a theme tied to the ALF.

The essays are rigorously evaluated on the basis of originality, organization, creativity, appropriateness to contest theme, and the use of language. The winners get the opportunity to participate in the ALF plenary session and receive their awards at a prize-giving ceremony – in the presence of distinguished delegates from the forum.

UONGOZI Institute’s Youth Leadership Competition PRIZE

Up to five winners will be selected. Winners will be asked to create posters to visually describe their ideas. The posters will be showcased at the ALF.
Winners will receive their awards at a prize giving ceremony to be held during the ALF Gala Dinner. The ceremony will be attended by senior leaders from across Africa, representing public, private and third sectors.
A grand prize of USD $2,000 will be awarded to the overall winner, and they will be asked to read their essay at the dinner event.
Selected winners residing outside Uganda will be required to have valid travel documents for travel. UONGOZI Institute will cover the costs related to their travel, including visa fees, air ticket and accommodation.

Guidelines

This competition aims to provide an opportunity for the youth of Africa and the next generation of leaders in the region to share their perspectives on leadership as it relates to accelerating SDG implementation in Africa. It is open to all African citizens (including the diaspora) between the age of 18 – 25. The essays should respond to the following questions:
If you were an African leader, how would you accelerate the implementation of SDGs on the continent?
All essays must be typed. The minimum length is 500 words, and the maximum is 700 words. The format shall be of single spaced, Arial font size 11 with page margins of 1 inch (2.54 cm) for each margin, and sent as a Microsoft Word document.
Applicants must also submit a written statement of originality and ownership of intellectual property rights. Download a template here.
Essays will be judged on the basis of originality, creativity, use of language and appropriateness to contest theme.