Leading African PR & Rating firm, Avance Media has announced the 6th publication of the its annual ranking of 100 Most Influential Young Africans, a list that celebrates the brightest and successful young Africans in various fields across the continent.
With 52 males and 48 females representing 32 countries on the continent, this year’s publication throws a huge spotlight on various talents and personalities pursuing their dreams in pursuit of making the continent proud and setting an example for young people on the continent.
With individuals from industries such as technology, business, entertainment, MD of Avance Media, Prince Akpah mentioned that, the continent is blessed with a lot of inspiring young people who have the power to prove the worth of the continent’s future. He also mentioned that, African leaders must focus resources in training its youthful population to be ready to compete with other young people from across the world.
Nigeria leads with representation on the list with 21 people followed closely by South Africa and Kenya with 10 individuals each, Uganda with 7 and Ghana with 6 young people.
Some notable names on the list include musicians Davido, Burnaboy, climate change activists such as Vanessa Nakate, Adenike Oladosu, Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti, Joanita Babirye, Leah Namugerwa and footballers, Mohammed Salah, Sadio mane and Edouard Mendy.
Criteria for selection for Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans included: Excellence in Leadership & Performance, Personal accomplishment, commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo and being an accomplished young African.
Below is the official list of Avance Media’ 2021 100 Most Influential Young Africans arranged in alphabetical order.
- Abasi Ene-Obong || CEO, 54Gene
- Abiodun Adereni (Dr) || Founder, Help Mum
- Achraf Hakimi || Footballer, Paris Saint-Germain
- Adenike Oladosu || Founder, ILeadClimate
- Amina Priscille Longoh || Chad Minister, Women and Protection of Children
- Amisa Rashid Kiligah || Founder, Nivishe Foundation
- Anika Jane Dorothy || Executive Director, Green Congress of Kenya
- Anoziva Marindire || Information & Communications Officer, AUICGWEA
- Asha Jaffar || Activist
- Axel Merryl || Comedian
- Aya Chebbi || Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
- Barrington Chungulo || Founder, Dream Factory
- Berla Mundi || On Air Personality, TV3 Ghana
- Bitania Lulu Berhanu || Special Adviser on Youth, EUCIP
- Burna Boy || Musician
- Charlot Magayi || Founder, Mukuru Stoves
- Christelle Kwizera || Founder, Water Access Rwanda
- Christian Achaleke Leke || Youth Development Expert
- CK Japheth || Founder , The Innovative Village
- Davido || Musician
- Debo Adedayo || Comic Actor
- Douce Namwezi N’Ibamba || Journalist, Uwezo Afrika Initiative
- DUDU || Comic Actor
- Eddie Ndopu || Activist
- Edouard Mendy || Footballer, Chelsea
- Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti || Climate Activist, Green Generation Initiative
- Emma Inamutila Theofelus || Namibia Deputy Minister, Ministry of ICT
- Fadji Zaouna Maina (Dr) || Scientist, NASA Goddard
- Fatou Jeng || Founder, Clean Earth Gambia
- Fejiro Hanu Agbodje || Founder, Patricia Technologies
- Feryal Abdelaziz || Athlete
- Filsan Abdullahi || Activist
- Fireboy DML || Musician
- Focalistic || Musician
- Georgina Siaba || Founder, The N’Takou
- Given Edward || Founder, MyElimu Innovations
- Grand P || Musician
- Gregory Rockson || CEO, mPharma
- Hadija Jabiri || CEO, EatFresh
- Hilda Flavia Nakabuye || Founder, Fridays for Future movement
- Ibrahim Mahama || Artist
- Ire Aderinokun || Co-Founder, Feminist Coalition
- Iron Biby || Athlete
- Islam Elbeiti || Co-Founder, Sudanese Innovation & Entrepreneurship Network
- Iyin Aboyeji || Founder, Future Africa
- JeanMarie Kalonji || Activist
- Jemimah Kariuki (Dr) || Founder, Wheels for Life
- Joanita Babirye || Co-Founder, GirlsForClimateAction
- Joeboy || Musician
- Joshua Cheptegei || Athlete
- Kabza De Small || DJ
- Kalidou Koulibaly || Footballer, Napoli
- Karabo Mokgonyana || Activist
- Khanyi Pearl Zungu || Chief Advisor Legal, Eskom
- KiDi || Musician
- Larry Madowo || Journalist, CNN
- Leah Namugerwa || Climate Activist
- Lelise Neme || CEO, Ethiopian Investment Commission
- Lyna Khoudri || Actress
- Manal || Musician
- Mark Angel || Comic Actor
- Maya Horgan Famodu || CEO, Ingressive
- Mbosso || Musician
- Melvyn Lubega || CEO, Go1
- Mohamed Ramadan || Actor
- Mohamed Salah || Footballer, Liverpool
- Muzalema Mwanza || Founder, Safe Motherhood Alliance
- Nadeen Ashraf || Activist
- Nader Ahmed || Actor
- Nadia Ahmed Abdalla || Kenya CAS, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth
- Nthabiseng Mosia || COO, Easy Solar
- OBoy || Musician
- Odunayo Eweniyi || Founder, PiggyVest
- Ojima Benjamin Ufaruna || Founder, BuyPower
- Olugbenga Agboola || Founder, Flutterwave
- Omah Lay || Musician
- Penton Keah || Comedian
- Peres Jepchirchir || Athlete
- Peruth Chemutai || Athlete
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang || Footballer, Arsenal
- Richmond Bassey || CEO, Bamboo
- Riyad Mahrez || Footballer, Manchester City
- Sadio Mane || Footballer, Liverpool
- Sam Nartey George || Member of Parliament (Ghana)
- Samuel Alemayehu || CEO, New Co
- Sarah Diouf || CEO, Tongoro
- Soraia Ramos || Musician
- Tatjana Schoenmaker || Athlete
- Tayo Aina || YouTuber
- Tebogo Mashifana (Dr) || Lecturer, University of Johannesburg
- Tems || Musician
- Theo Baloyi || CEO, Bathu Shoes
- Tom Osborn || CEO, Shamiri Institute
- Ubah Ali || Activist
- Vanessa Nakate || Climate Activist
- William Last KRM || Actor
- Wizkid || Musician
- Wode Maya || YouTuber
- Zozibini Tunzi || Miss Universe 2019
- Zuchu || Musician
Source: Ifeanyi Ahyia Adjei