Five young leaders have been honored at an event held during the African Leadership Forum (ALF), chaired by former Tanzanian President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and Secretary General of the Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Mr. Wamkele Mene, in Accra, Ghana.

The boys included first-place finisher Faizah Atu Muhammad (Nigeria), runner-up Innocent Matekere from Tanzania, Sithandweyinkosi Sivela from Zimbabwe, third-place finisher Onwuka Dabeluchukwu Chiemelie from Nigeria and fifth place finisher Manda Nixon from Cameroon.

The event, held Thursday night, was attended by political and business leaders from across the continent.

A grand prize of $2,000 was awarded to the first runner-up.

Winners had the opportunity to participate in the ALF session as well as display their posters that express their ideas at the exhibition.

In December 2022, the Leadership Institute reopened the doors for African youth to contribute to important debates about leadership and sustainable development through the Youth Leadership Competition.

Their focus remained: African citizens (including diaspora) between the ages of 18 and 25. They asked the participants to answer the following question: If you were an African leader, how would you promote intra-African trade to unlock the opportunity for agriculture on the continent?.

More than 1,150 entries were received, representing a variety of solutions and ideas on how to facilitate trade and agriculture within Africa.

The essays were decided on the basis of originality, creativity, use of language and in thematic realism.

Dr Kikwete, who is the Guardian of the African Leadership Forum (ALF) and the fourth President of Tanzania and Hon. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the AfCFTA were the hosts of the 7th African Leadership Forum (ALF) in Accra, Ghana from 25 – 26 May 2023.

This year's theme was "Promoting intra-African trade to unlock the potential of agriculture in Africa".

The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was present as the chief guest.

The delegates included former heads of state and government, as well as other prominent leaders from all parts of the continent and from various government professions, academia and civil society.

The forum consisted of an opening session with three sessions on: Unlocking the potential of agriculture in Africa, the Market as a catalyst for promoting agricultural productivity in Africa and the role of African partners in supporting the success of AfCFTA.

ALF 2023 is managed by the LEADERSHIP Institute and the AfCFTA Secretariat.