21 Africans receive Queen Elizabeth's 'Young Leaders Award'

A total of 21 young Africans were awarded by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the second edition of the Queen’s ‘‘Young Leaders Award.’‘

They joined 60 other exceptional young leaders from 45 Commonwealth nations, to receive their award at the Buckingham Palace, in London, on Thursday evening.

The award is reserved for young people between the ages of 18-29 years from across the Commonwealth, young people leading their communities and impacting lives of people in their societies.

Congratulations to all 60 of the #QueensYoungLeaders on your awards; an incredible achievement! pic.twitter.com/vIv1rMqefk

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 23, 2016

Kenya and Nigeria led the pack with three winners each, whiles South Africa and Malawi also got two each. Twelve remaining countries had single winners, Ghana, Cameroon, Botswana, Lesotho.

With Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sierra Leone and Tanzania completing the list.

According to the awards website, ‘‘The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.’‘

Winners of this prestigious Award received a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK capped with the ceremony where they received their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

With the support, Award winners are expected to continue and develop the amazing work they are already doing in their communities.

Europe had six recipients, Asia had nine, the Americas and Caribbean got twelve while the Pacific region bagged twelve also.