Seven extraordinary individuals including innovators, activists and entrepreneurs from across Africa were shortlisted for The Future Awards Africa 2020 Young Person of the Year prize.

This year, the awards received over 1500 entries for this prize from over 30 African countries. Of those shortlisted, the top candidates were selected as nominees. A Pan-African judging panel reviewed their profiles and selected the top individual for the prize.

“It is our honour to celebrate the invaluable efforts of young Africans as they take a global stage so their leadership can inspire others and accelerate meaningful youth participation across the continent,” said Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi who is chairperson of the Central Working Committee. “Especially in a year where we have doubled down on inclusion and representation which has always been central to this project, this inspiring African woman leading the charge for a generation with the continent’s biggest youth prize is so much more special.”

Read the full profile of Ogutu Okudo here: awards.thefutureafrica.com.

This prize was judged by Olumide Makanjuola (Nigeria); Marr Nyang (The Gambia); Ndi Nancy Saiboh (Cameroon); Daizy Wanzala (Kenya); Melvis Ndiloseh (Cameroon); Olivia Mukam Wandji (Cameroon); Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (Kenya); Khadijah Aja Tambajang (Senegal).

The Future Festival 2020 is presented by The Future Awards Africa in partnership with Y! Africa.

Media partners are Africa Magic, MTV Base, Pop Central, YNaija.com, Cool FM, Nigeria Info, Clout Africa and BellaNaija.

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About The Future Awards Africa

The Future Awards Africa has been called the ‘Nobel Prize for Young Africans’, and the ‘most important youth awards’ by Forbes. It is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.It is presented in conjunction with The Future Project, which has a mandate to build empowered citizens across Africa, through (inclusive) enterprise and (active) citizenship. This focus on Human Capital Development is informed by our value proposition: Africa’s growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.

About Red Media Africa

Red Media Africa (www.redmediaafrica.com) is the PR & Empowerment Marketing division under the parent brand, RED. It focuses on using inspiration, empowerment and action to help brands and organisations connect with their audiences, enhance their bottom-lines, and lead in their industries. It has 6 major practice areas: Corporate Practice, Technology Practice, SME Practice, Governance Practice, Faith Practice and the International Practice – with work for brands across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. It has been recognised with multiple local and international awards including the Gold SABRE Awards for PR Campaigns and the Young Lions PR competition for the next generation of creatives.