Forbes Africa has released its annual 30 Under 30 list, which celebrates the achievements of exceptional young entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders under the age of 30.
In a world where ‘nepotism babies’ have become commonplace and uninspired, the notion of ‘self-made’ is acquiring new meaning and respect. These young achievers are starting from scratch to build businesses and brands that are solutions-oriented.
Forbes Africa called “The Newest Self-Made Young Innovators and Leaders Scripting a New Vision for Africa,” this year’s list recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of 30 “multi-tasking multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders” who are driving Africa’s progress on their terms. The list features some Nigerians such as Tems, Ayra Starr, Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Joel Abeng, and Khloe ‘Koko’ Abiri.
The finalists were selected from a pool of over a thousand applicants, which included former Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 alumni, an editorial team led by Under 30 curator Chanel Retief, as well as a panel of independent external judges and subject-matter experts. The rigorous selection process considered factors such as innovation, scalability, social impact, and overall contribution to the development of Africa.
For this coveted ninth annual edition of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list.
1. Yvette Ishimwe, 25, Rwanda – Founder and CEO, Iriba Water Group
– Industry: Water Solutions
2. Hansel Ndu Okeke, 28, Nigeria – Co-founder and CEO, Weevil Company
– Industry: Technology
3. Germain Ndu-Okeke, 24, Nigeria – Co-founder and Chief Operation Officer, Weevil Company
– Industry: Technology
4. Asisat Oshoala, 28, Nigeria – Striker for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona and the Nigeria women’s national
team
– Industry: Professional Footballer
5. Jacques Jordaan, 27, South Africa – Co-founder and Director, Specno
– Industry: Entrepreneur/Technology
6. Blessing Joel Abeng, 28, Nigeria – Co-founder and Director of Communications, Ingressive For Good
– Industry: Branding and Communications
7. Jessica Mshama, 27, Tanzania – Founder and CEO, Nakua Na Taifa Langu, Director of Assumpter Digital
Schools
– Industry: Entrepreneur/Social Impact
8. Dricus ‘Still Knocks’ du Plessis, 29, South Africa – Professional mixed martial artist in the Middleweight division
of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
– Industry: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
9. Isaack Damian Buhiye, 28, Tanzania – CEO, Firm 23 Limited
– Industry: Digital Enterprise Solutions
10. Emmanuel Whajah, 29, Ghana – Creative Director, Videographer and owner of Emzy Production Films
– Industry: Film and entertainment
11. Cheslin Denman, 29, South Africa – Managing Director and Co-Founder, Trustlink Africa Hub
– Industry: Fintech
12. Mhlengi Mluleki Ngcobo, 28, South Africa – Founder and CEO, CoffeeMM
– Industry: Agriculture
13. Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni, 29, South Africa – Chief Operation Officer, Green Development Foundation
– Industry: Sustainability
14. Cody Gordon, 26, South Africa – Co-founder and CEO, CG Technology Group (be frank, Constructive Candor
and It’sOk)
– Industry: Mental Health Technology
15. Thembi Kgatlana, 26, South Africa – A Forward for NWSL club Racing Louisville FC and South Africa
women’s national team
– Industry: Professional Football
16. Mohammed Kudus, 22, Ghana – Attacking midfielder for Eredivisie club Ajax and the Ghana national team
– Industry: Professional Football
17. Sharva Hassamal, 29, Mauritius – Founder, Portage Labs
– Industry: Information Technology
18. Alessandrio Bergman, 29, South Africa – Founder, SYNC Model Management
– Industry: Fashion and Marketing
19. Dr. Wedu Tose Somolekae, 29, Botswana – Founder, Medi-Glow Aesthetics
– Industry: Aesthetic medicine
20. Khethokuhle ‘Kay Yarms’ Ngonyama, 29, South Africa – Beauty Influencer
– Industry: Content creation
21. Koaile Monaheng, 29, Lesotho – Associate Director and Shareholder, Khantša Energy
– Industry: Renewable Energy
22. Mutethia Mbaabu, 29, Kenya – Co-founder and CEO, MarketForce
– Industry: E-Commerce
23. Oluwabusayo Victoria Abiri, 29, Nigeria – Founder and CEO, Koko By Khloe
– Industry: Beauty and Skincare
24. Rosalia Nghitalesheni Joseph, 28, Namibia – Regional Coordinator, Women in Vector Control (WIVC), Central
and Southern Africa
– Industry: Medical entomologist/public researcher
25. Temilade Openiyi / ‘Tems’, 27, Nigeria – Singer-songwriter
– Industry: Music and Entertainment
26. Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe / ‘Ayra Starr’, 20, Benin/Nigeria – Singer
– Industry: Music and Entertainment
27. Dr. Olivier Uwishema, 29, Rwanda – Founder, Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO)
– Industry: Medicine/Research
28. Lethabo ‘Focalistic’ Sebetso, 26, South Africa – Rapper
– Industry: Music and Entertainment
29. Joel Embiid, 29, Cameroon – Center for Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association
– Industry: Professional Basketball Player
30. Nompumelelo ‘Mpoomy’ Ledwaba, 29, South Africa – Entrepreneur/Digital Creator
– Industry: Digital Marketing
