The AfCFTA Continental Youth Essay Competition is intended to Amplify Continental Mobilization, Awareness, Engagement, and Participation of African young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years in the Popularization and Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
As part of the AfCFTA Youth Inclusion Accelerator Project, the Essay competition will harness the energy, creativity and initiative of Africa’s youth in promoting the AfCFTA, as well as inspire policymakers and society as a whole towards action, from the thoughts of youth from the 55 African Union Member States with regards to practical implementation AfCFTA Agreement.
The AfCFTA Continental Essay competition is based on the findings of the continental scoping study on AfCFTA youth inclusion, which sighted youth AfCFTA awareness and capacity building as a major prerequisite for the holistic implementation of the agreement. The essay competition, therefore, seeks to build the awareness and knowledge capacity of African young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and position them as key stakeholders and contributors in accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Eligibility Criteria
Guidelines
Theme: How can Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Make the AfCFTA ‘Magic’ Happen?
The essay should be submitted by an African Youth between the ages of 18-35, who is a citizen of any of the 55 Member States of the African Union, or an African youth residing in the diaspora.
Young women and differently-abled persons are particularly encouraged to apply
Essay Sub-themes:
The essay should be written along ONE of the following sub-themes:
a) Youth inclusion in AfCFTA Institutional Framework
b) Digital Disruptions: Innovations that can spur AfCFTA implementation in Post-COVID Times
c) Youth mobilization and organizing for effective AfCFTA Implementation
d) Gender mainstreaming in AfCFTA Implementation and operationalization
e) Made-in-Africa: Boosting intra-African trade by promoting a culture of buying Quality African Goods and Services2
Offered Benefits
The top 5 essay participants (one per sub-theme) will have an opportunity to attend the continental Young Leaders and Policy Makers Summer School (BootCamp) in Arusha, Tanzania.
Application Process
There are no particular rules regarding formatting (font style, size, line space, etc.). However, essays must be submitted in MS WORD.
The essay length should be between 800-1000 words, written in any of these four African Union working languages (English, French, Portuguese & Arabic).
* Your name and essay title are not included in the word count limit..
Entries must be submitted online. Send your essay entry to the email address essay@youlead.africa
* Only one entry per person is accepted.
* We are unable to confirm receipt of essays due to the volume.4
Essays must be original and unpublished. Plagiarized entries will be rejected.
Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.6
Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizer, with recognition given to the writer.
Essay Entries must be received by September 16th, 2021 (23:59 East African Time).
Essay winners will be announced on – 29th September 2021 – at the All-Africa Youth Virtual Debate Competition on the AfCFTA
