Dr Genesis Mwamba, a medical doctor and founder of the Lead Me Back Foundation, has been recognized for his remarkable contribution to youth empowerment and sustainable development in Zambia by winning the 2026 Young Impact Champion Award.
“On Friday I won the 2026 Young Impact Champion Award. This award means I have done as my mother asked, which was to do the very best I can with the life I have been given and to make myself useful to others,” Dr. Mwamba said. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the unequal opportunities that exist across the country, noting that potential alone does not guarantee a pathway to success.
Dr. Mwamba’s recognition shines a light not only on his personal achievements but also on the broader impact of his initiatives, which focus on education, health and climate action in Zambia’s most vulnerable communities.
Driving Change Through Education, Health, and Climate Action
Founded in 2021, the Lead Me Back Foundation works to improve the quality of life for young people in Zambia. The organization’s mission is to bridge gaps that hinder sustainability and empowerment in vulnerable communities, specifically addressing Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4, which focus on good health and quality education.
Under Dr. Mwamba’s leadership, the foundation has distributed over 400,000 school materials to marginalized children and supported public speaking programs, capacity-building initiatives and other programs aimed at preparing young leaders. “Education is the greatest equalizer,” Dr. Mwamba said, explaining how his childhood experiences with poverty shaped his commitment to ensuring children living in difficult circumstances gain access to quality education.
Dr. Mwamba is also the Team Lead of the Youth SDG Summit, Zambia’s largest youth platform for discussion, advocacy and action on sustainable development goals. The summit has reached more than 5,000 young people nationwide, creating opportunities for engagement with UN agencies, NGOs and corporate partners.
Through his medical practice and the Ubumi Care Clinics, Dr. Mwamba focuses on early diagnosis, treatment and community empowerment. His clinical experience revealed how a lack of information among underserved patients worsens preventable deaths, a challenge he is actively addressing through community-focused health initiatives.
Recognized Leadership and Awards
Dr. Mwamba has built a decade-long track record as a public speaker and youth leader. He has addressed over 100,000 people locally and internationally, including as a keynote speaker at the Posner Center Symposium in 2022. His leadership roles include Osmosis Medical Education Fellow, One Young World Novartis Scholar Ambassador, Hansen Leadership Institute Fellow and UNITE 2030 Youth Delegate.
His dedication to sustainable development and youth empowerment has earned him multiple recognitions. He was named Zambian Humanitarian of the Year in 2023, received the Future of Zambia Top 30 Under 30 Award and the SDG Impact and Health Award in 2024. He was also recognized as one of the 100 Men Taking the Lead in Zambia in 2024.
The 2026 Young Impact Champion Award underscores Dr. Mwamba’s impact on communities across Zambia, particularly through initiatives that connect education, health and climate action. It also highlights the critical role of young leaders in shaping a sustainable future, providing pathways and opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind.
Through his work, Dr. Genesis Mwamba demonstrates how personal achievement can translate into broad societal impact, setting a standard for young leaders in Zambia and across Africa.
