AfCFTA Sustainable Leap Youth Essay Competition 2026

The AfCFTA Sustainable Leap Youth Essay Competition 2026, organized by the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA), is part of the AfCFTA Africa Umoja Campaign. The competition encourages young Africans to propose innovative and policy-oriented ideas on how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can promote sustainable economic growth, environmentally responsible manufacturing, and green logistics systems across Africa. Participants are invited to submit well-researched essays and short video pitches outlining practical policy recommendations that support sustainable trade within the AfCFTA framework. The initiative aims to amplify youth voices in shaping Africa’s trade policy and economic transformation while fostering a new generation of leaders engaged in continental development. The campaign is supported by major partners including the AfCFTA Secretariat, UNDP, ITC, UNECA, and Afreximbank, highlighting the importance of youth participation in Africa’s economic integration.