Essay Competition on Role of youth in trade in the AfCFTA

The National University of Lesotho – WTO Chair Essay Competition 2024 was designed to strengthen undergraduate students’ research and writing skills, with a focus on trade-related themes. This year’s competition invited students from all faculties to submit original essays on the topic: “The role of youth in driving intra-African investment and trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).” The initiative aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Africa’s evolving trade landscape and the critical role of youth in shaping its future.
The competition provided a platform for students to engage with contemporary policy issues, develop analytical thinking, and contribute to national and continental trade discourse. Submissions were evaluated through a blind review process by external experts, based on criteria including research depth, policy relevance, structure, and language use. The top essays were recognized during a formal award ceremony held on 1st November 2024 in Maseru, alongside the final round of the NUL Inter-Institutional Debate Competition.
By encouraging academic excellence and policy engagement, the essay competition contributes to the broader mission of the WTO Chair to build capacity in trade-related research and promote youth participation in shaping Lesotho’s economic future.