Kenya’s Alice Ngitira has been awarded the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award at the King’s Trust Awards held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, in recognition of her efforts to uplift young women in her community through entrepreneurship.

At just 19 years old, Ngitira is making waves globally with her business in handcrafted Kenyan beadwork, producing bangles, belts, and accessories that reflect both cultural identity and economic resilience.

Her initiative not only provides for her family and supports her siblings’ education, but also offers other young women from vulnerable backgrounds a chance to gain skills in both craftsmanship and entrepreneurship.

“I believe when a young person—especially a girl—is empowered, the whole community is enlightened,” Ngitira said. “When the girl is able to earn income, she will provide for her family, educate her siblings, and help build a self-reliant generation. That is the goal I hope to achieve by being that change.”

Ngitira was personally congratulated by King Charles III during a reception at Buckingham Palace, where the monarch celebrated this year’s outstanding award recipients.

Her journey began through the Enterprise Challenge Programme, a collaboration between King’s Trust International and the Asante Africa Foundation. The initiative gave her the tools to grow her business through training in digital marketing, business planning, and community outreach.

With these skills, Ngitira has expanded her business and now employs other young women, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic opportunity in her community.

The Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award honours young women who have overcome hardship and are now using their success to transform their societies—a distinction Ngitira has earned through determination, creativity, and leadership.