Parallex Bank youth leadership awards gained momentum as the lender backed the 2025 Future Africa Leaders Awards to empower young Africans

Parallex Bank Plc reaffirmed its commitment to youth development on Monday as the lender sponsored the 2025 Future Africa Leaders Awards, a pan African initiative recognising young Africans driving exceptional impact across their communities.

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Parallex Bank said the 2025 awards, organised by the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, honoured 10 outstanding young leaders whose projects span education, technology, healthcare, agriculture, community service and social innovation.

The star prize was awarded to Rejoice Waithera, a 23 year old Kenyan agripreneur and humanitarian whose work in food security, waste management and community health has been described by organisers as both transformative and scalable.

Speaking at the public presentation of the winners, the Managing Director of Parallex Bank Plc, Dr Olufemi Bakre, said the sponsorship reflects the bank’s confidence in Africa’s youthful population and its power to reshape the continent’s development path.

Dr Bakre, represented at the event by the Head of Brands and Communication at Parallex Bank, Mr Ademola Adeshola, said Nigeria stands at an extraordinary demographic moment, noting that nearly 70 per cent of Nigerians are under the age of 30.

According to Dr Bakre, the statistic highlights not only the nation’s vibrant energy but also a vast opportunity if young people are given the right platforms, resources and support to thrive.

He said Africa’s youth represent a dynamic force capable of driving innovation, accelerating economic growth and delivering lasting social impact, adding that sustained investment in leadership development is essential to unlocking that potential.

Dr Bakre explained that the bank’s support for the Parallex Bank youth leadership awards aligns with its long term strategy on youth empowerment, stressing that young people remain central to Africa’s future.

He praised the 2025 award winners and ambassadors for their courage, ingenuity and resilience, describing their achievements as powerful evidence of a new generation determined to turn challenges into opportunity and deliver meaningful change.

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The bank’s managing director also commended the Future Africa Leaders Foundation for its continued investment in nurturing young leaders, noting that the organisation has played a critical role in inspiring hope and building a legacy of impactful leadership across Africa.