The West African Youth Council (WAYC) has conferred one of its most prestigious honours, the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award for Excellence and Integrity, on Amb. Emmanuel Olorunshola, while also recognising him as a West African Youth Ambassador.
This highly regarded accolade, presented on July 9, 2023, celebrates individuals across the region who embody integrity, leadership, and exceptional commitment to Africa’s development.
It stands as one of the most respected awards under the ECOWAS Youth Council, reserved for young leaders whose work has delivered measurable impact in their communities.
In announcing the honour, Amb. Emmanuel S. William, President of the ECOWAS Youth Council, described Olorunshola as “an entrepreneur of note and a leader whose passion for youth empowerment and societal progress reflects the enduring spirit of Nelson Mandela.”
Olorunshola earned the recognition through a track record of building solutions that create value for both consumers and businesses. His ventures — from Shopnow.ng, Africa’s first online store to accept Bitcoin as its sole means of payment, to Foodkix, Nigeria’s pioneering bicycle-first food delivery service, and Kixmenu, a restaurant digitisation platform, have contributed to reshaping Nigeria’s food technology and digital commerce ecosystem.
Beyond his ventures, Olorunshola has trained more than 10,000 young people across Nigeria and Ghana in areas ranging from digital entrepreneurship to sustainable business practices.
His platforms have also generated hundreds of jobs for young riders and restaurant staff, providing pathways to income and skills development in communities where opportunities are limited.
Accepting the award, Olorunshola reflected on its meaning: “The Nelson Mandela Leadership Award is not just recognition, it is a call to responsibility. For me, it is a reminder that African youth must continue to build solutions that solve real problems and create lasting value. I dedicate this honour to every young African striving for impact despite the challenges.”
The Nelson Mandela Leadership Award for Excellence and Integrity has become a symbol of credibility and trust across West Africa, recognising only those whose leadership goes beyond personal achievement to include service, mentorship, and tangible contributions to society.
Olorunshola’s investiture as a West African Youth Ambassador places him among a select group of young leaders tasked with championing youth empowerment and sustainable development in the region.
This recognition cements Emmanuel Olorunshola’s place as one of Nigeria’s influential technology entrepreneurs and underscores his growing role as a voice for African youth leadership.
