Sixty percent of Africa’s population is youth. In my home country, Malawi, that number rises to 80%. Eight in every ten Malawians are young. As I reflect on this staggering statistic, I am reminded of the profound potential—and responsibility—that rests on the shoulders of our continent’s youth. Globally, youth is defined as the age range between 19 and 35 years old. At 29, standing at the cusp of a new decade, I find myself contemplating the transition from one chapter of life to the next.
This reflection felt even more significant as I received the Best Youth Empowerment Award at the Africa Achievement Awards on the 15th of December, 2024.
The Imperative of Responsibility
In Seattle, Washington, I stood on stage at the Africa Achievement Awards, honored to receive the Best International African Youth Empowerment Award. The moment was surreal, not just for the recognition itself but for the opportunity to pause and reflect on what it all means. Being recognized for the work I’ve poured my heart into over the past decade is humbling. Yet, in this moment of celebration, I am also acutely aware of the immense responsibility that we all share.
This award is more than just a recognition of the past—it is a marker. It calls me to reflect, realign, and redouble my efforts as I move into the next phase of my life and career.
As Africa’s celebrated achievers, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean to be recognized while our continent struggles to thrive? If we are truly Africa’s achievers, then it is our responsibility to ensure that Africa succeeds. As we celebrate our achievements, let us also commit to being architects of Africa’s future—a future where success is not the exception but the norm.
A Personal Call to Action
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) during the United Nations General Assembly. Like this award, that recognition came with both immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. These accolades remind me—and I hope they remind all of us—that recognition is not the end; it is the beginning. What we do with these acknowledgments will define our legacy.
The youth of Africa hold the power to redefine the narrative of our continent. But it will require more than vision—it will demand action. It will demand that we carry the lessons of our achievements into every endeavor, ensuring that we are building the Africa we want.
I stand in this moment as a product of a continent rich in resilience, innovation, and potential. As we close 2024, and map way for 2025, I call on all of you to return to your work with renewed purpose.
To everyone who believed in the work I am doing—and the work that so many others across this continent are tirelessly striving to do—thank you. This recognition is not mine alone; it belongs to every person who has supported, inspired, and partnered with me along the way.
Let us carry this momentum forward. Let us ensure that our achievements are not celebrated in isolation but contribute to the collective progress of our nations and our continent.
Thank you for this honor. Let us continue to build the Africa we deserve.
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