Achaleke Christian Leke
Achaleke Christian Leke is a highly respected peacebuilder and expert in violent extremism, with over 16 years of experience as a practitioner, researcher, and advocate in Cameroon. He currently serves as the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for the Central African Region and is the Executive Director of Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC), one of the leading youth-led peacebuilding organizations in the country. Over the years, he has led more than 600 peacebuilding initiatives, both in Cameroon and internationally, and has contributed to several research publications and policy documents.
A major focus of his work has been on the rehabilitation, reintegration, and economic empowerment of former violent extremists and vulnerable communities. His efforts have played a crucial role in shaping the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Stabilization, Prevention, Recovery, and Resilience (SPRR) processes in Cameroon and the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, he has been instrumental in facilitating youth-led community dialogues in the conflict-affected Anglophone regions, helping to strengthen youth involvement in Cameroon’s peace process.
Beyond his work at LOYOC, Achaleke is actively engaged with several international organizations and advisory bodies. In 2018, he was appointed to the Advisory Board of the International Institute of Justice and the Rule of Law. He also serves as an Independent Review Panel member of GCERF and is a Youth Advisory member of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security. From 2016 to 2020, he was the Global Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, where he worked on initiatives promoting youth participation in peacebuilding across multiple countries.
His outstanding contributions have earned him numerous national and international awards. He has been named among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans five times and was recognized in 2022 among the 100 Most Influential Young People of African Descent. In 2021, he was honored by the Project Management Institute as one of the “Future 50 Project Leaders” globally and was also featured as a UNESCO real-life hero and a CNN African Voices Changemaker. In 2019, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office included him in the list of 35 Chevening Changemakers worldwide. His achievements also include winning the Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2018, being named the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year in 2016, and receiving recognition from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. That same year, he was named Most Influential Young Cameroonian.
Achaleke's leadership at Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC) has also led to a strong partnership with the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC). The two organizations have worked together on several youth-led peacebuilding initiatives, civic engagement programs, and capacity-building efforts aimed at empowering young people across Cameroon. Their collaboration has significantly strengthened youth involvement in governance, decision-making, and national development efforts.
In 2025, Achaleke was honored with the Honorable Mention for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change, presented by Global Ties U.S. and the U.S. Department of State. Speaking on this recognition, he expressed that the award is more than just a personal achievement—it is a celebration of what is possible when young leaders are given the right opportunities to thrive. He emphasized that real change is driven by collective action, mentorship, and teamwork, expressing gratitude to God, his family, colleagues, friends, mentors, and partners who have supported his journey.
Through his continued efforts, Achaleke Christian Leke remains committed to advancing peace, countering violent extremism, and empowering young people—not just in Cameroon, but across Africa.