2023 A.G.A Nominee

Thembisa Winston Kunene

2023 A.G.A Nominee

David Akinwamide

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr. Kgabo Isaac Boshomane

2023 A.G.A Nominee

H.E. Amb Abbas Ahmed Abbas

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr Kadijatu Grace Kamara-Ahene

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr. Angela Nyambura Gichaga

Dr. Angela Nyambura Gichaga is the CEO of the Financing Alliance for Health. The Financing Alliance for Health is a partnership of over 40 organizations, including governments, multilateral institutions, foundations, and private sector organizations, that work together to improve health outcomes and achieve universal health coverage. Dr. Gichaga has extensive experience in global health and healthcare financing, having worked in various leadership positions at organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme. She holds a medical degree from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Science in Health Economics from the University of York, and a PhD in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah

Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah is a Tanzanian-British novelist, academic, and literary critic. He has published several critically acclaimed novels, including "Paradise," "Desertion," "By the Sea," and "Afterlives," which was shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize. In addition to his literary work, Professor Gurnah has had a distinguished academic career. He has held teaching positions at universities in Tanzania, England, and the United States, and has published widely on African and postcolonial literature. He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2006 for his services to literature, and in 2020 he was elected as a Fellow of the British Academy.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe

Professor Asmeret Asefaw Berhe is a soil biogeochemist and ecosystem scientist who currently serves as the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis. She is also a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and a member of the UC Davis Soil Science Graduate Group. Professor Berhe's research focuses on the role of soil in global carbon and nutrient cycles, particularly in response to climate change and land use change. She has conducted fieldwork in Africa, North America, and Asia, and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics related to soil science, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem science.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala is a South African engineer, computer scientist, and academic. Marwala obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in the United States in 1991. He then obtained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1996, and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom in 2000. Marwala is currently the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg, where he was previously the deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Internationalisation. Marwala is a fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Science of South Africa.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr. Denis Mukwege

Denis Mukwege is a Congolese gynaecologist and human rights activist who has dedicated his life to helping survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Mukwege is the founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, which has become known worldwide for its treatment of survivors of sexual violence. He and his team have treated thousands of women who have been raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence during the long-running conflict in the eastern part of the country.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, an organisation aimed at empowering rural women in Kenya through environmental conservation and community development. The organisation has since planted over 50 million trees in Kenya and trained thousands of women in sustainable agriculture and forestry practices. Throughout her life, Maathai was a vocal critic of the Kenyan government's policies, particularly regarding environmental protection and human rights. In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Maathai was recognised with numerous awards and honours for her work, including the Right Livelihood Award, the National Geographic Society's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 71.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Arthur Zang

Arthur Zang is a Cameroonian engineer and entrepreneur who is best known for inventing the Cardiopad, a touchscreen medical tablet that enables remote heart examinations. He was inspired to do so after witnessing the difficulties faced by people in rural areas of Cameroon who needed heart examinations but did not have access to the necessary medical equipment or specialists. The Cardiopad enables a patient's heart examination data to be captured and transmitted to a specialist in another location, who can then provide a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. The device has the potential to greatly improve access to healthcare for people living in remote areas. Zang's invention has received numerous accolades, including the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2014 and the African Innovation Prize in 2013.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba is a retired Ivorian professional footballer considered to be one of the greatest African footballers of all time, who played as a striker. Drogba began his professional career in France with Le Mans and later moved to Guingamp, where he scored 17 goals in his first season. In 2004, he joined Chelsea for a fee of £24 million, which was then a record for an African player. Drogba also represented the Côte d’Ivoire national team, where he is the all-time top scorer, with 65 goals in 104 appearances. He played in three World Cups and two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments for his country. Drogba had a highly successful career at Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League in 2012, scoring the winning goal in the final against Bayern Munich. After leaving Chelsea in 2012, Drogba played for Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray, and the Montreal Impact before retiring in 2018. He has since been involved in various charitable and philanthropic efforts, including the Didier Drogba Foundation, which aims to provide healthcare and education to underprivileged children in Africa.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mané is a professional football player from Senegal who made his nameplaying for Liverpool FC and the Senegal national team. In 2016, he signed with Liverpool for a transfer fee of around £34 million, making him the most expensive African player in history at the time. Mané helped Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020. He is known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, and has been recognised with numerous individual awards, including the African Footballer of the Year award in 2019. Mané is known for his philanthropic work, particularly in his home country of Senegal, where he has funded the construction of schools, mosques, and hospitals, as well as providing financial support to families in need.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Zakes Mda

Zakes Mda is a South African novelist, playwright, and poet. Mda is known for his powerful and thought-provoking works that explore issues of race, identity, and politics in South Africa. He has written several novels, including Ways of Dying, The Heart of Redness, The Madonna of Excelsior, and Black Diamond. His works have been translated into numerous languages and have won many awards, including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and the Sunday Times Literary Award. Mda's works have been praised for their insight into South African society and their ability to capture the complexity of the country's history and culture. He remains a prominent figure in the South African literary community and beyond.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan long-distance runner who is considered one of the greatest marathon runners of all time. Kipchoge began his running career in the early 2000s, and he quickly made a name for himself. He won the junior race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2003 and went on to win several other international races. He became a household name in 2015 when he won the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:04:00. He followed that up with a win at the London Marathon in 2016, setting a course record with a time of 2:03:05. Kipchoge has also won several major marathons, including the Chicago Marathon, the Rotterdam Marathon, and the Berlin Marathon (four times). He has also won multiple gold medals at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Aisha Yesufu

Aisha Yesufu is a Nigerian activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is known for her advocacy work on social justice issues, particularly in the areas of human rights, gender equality, and good governance. Yesufu gained prominence for her involvement in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, which was launched in response to the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls by the terrorist group Boko Haram in 2014. She was a leading voice in the campaign, which drew international attention to the issue of girls' education and the ongoing conflict in north-eastern Nigeria. In addition to her advocacy work, Yesufu is a successful entrepreneur and businesswoman.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Danai Jekesai Gurira

Danai Jekesai Gurira is a Zimbabwean-American actress, playwright, and activist. Gurira is best known for her roles as Michonne in the hit television series The Walking Dead and as Okoye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. She has also appeared in other films including Mother of George, All Eyez on Me, and The Visitor. In addition to her acting career, Gurira is also an accomplished playwright. Her plays include In the Continuum, Eclipsed, and The Convert, all of which have received critical acclaim; Eclipsed was nominated for several awards, including a Tony Award for Best Play in 2016.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Agnes Matilda Kalibata

Agnes Matilda Kalibata is a Rwandan agricultural scientist and policymaker. She served as Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources from 2008 to 2014, and later became the president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a non-profit organisation aimed at increasing food security and agricultural productivity across the African continent. As president of AGRA, Kalibata has continued to promote policies and programmes aimed at improving agricultural productivity and food security in Africa. She has been a vocal advocate for the use of science and technology to address agricultural challenges, and has worked to strengthen partnerships between governments, private sector actors, and civil society organisations in support of these goals.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim

Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim is a former politician and the first female president of Mauritius, serving from 2015 to 2018. Before entering politics, Gurib-Fakim was a biodiversity scientist, specialising in the study of plants and their medicinal properties. She obtained her PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and went on to become a professor at the University of Mauritius, where she taught chemistry and headed the Centre for Phytotherapy Research.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Lupita Amondi Nyong'o

Lupita Amondi Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress, author, and producer. She grew up in Kenya and later studied film and theatre at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, USA. Nyong'o made her acting debut in the short film East River in 2008, and she later starred in the Kenyan television series Shuga in 2009. Her breakout role came in 2013 when she played the character of Patsey in the historical drama film 12 Years a Slave. For her performance, Nyong'o won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to win an Oscar. Since then, Nyong'o has appeared in several films, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Black Panther, Us, and Little Monsters.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Eric Yirenkyi Danquah

Eric Yirenkyi Danquah is a prominent plant breeder, agricultural scientist, and the founding director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), which is based at the University of Ghana. Danquah is known for his work in plant breeding and genetics and has focused much of his career on improving the productivity and sustainability of crops in Africa. He has worked extensively on crops such as cowpea, cassava, and maize, among others.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Dr Helena Ndume

Dr Helena Ndume is a Namibian ophthalmologist who has dedicated her career to providing eyecare services to people in need, particularly those living in remote and underserved communities in Namibia and other parts of Africa. She is the head of Ophthalmology at Windhoek Central Hospital in Namibia, and is also a member of several international organisations and committees focused on eye health, including the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, the World Health Organization's African Regional Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, and the Africa Vision 2020 Steering Committee. She is widely regarded as a leading figure in the field of ophthalmology in Africa and a champion for the rights of people with disabilities.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Ouided Bouchamaoui

Ouided Bouchamaoui is a Tunisian businesswoman and the former leader of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA). Bouchamaoui's career in business began in 1982 when she joined the family company, the Hedi Bouchamaoui Group, which specialises in food processing, distribution, and logistics. She served as the managing director of the group from 1996 to 2011. Bouchamaoui's leadership and contributions to Tunisia's economic and political development have been widely recognised both in Tunisia and internationally. In 2013, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with three other civil society leaders for her role in the National Dialogue Quartet, which helped to establish a peaceful and democratic transition in Tunisia after the 2011 revolution. Bouchamaoui continues to be involved in business and social initiatives in Tunisia and is a member of several national and international organisations, including the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Tony Elumelu

Tony Elumelu is a Nigerian businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, a family-owned investment company, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on empowering African entrepreneurs. He began his career in the banking industry, working for Union Bank of Nigeria before joining Standard Trust Bank, where he rose to become the CEO. He later merged Standard Trust Bank with United Bank for Africa (UBA) to create one of Africa's largest financial institutions.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Moctar Dembele

Moctar Dembele is a young inventor from Burkina Faso who created a soap that can repel mosquitoes and prevent malaria. The soap is called "Faso Soap" or "Mosquito Soap" and is made from all-natural ingredients, including shea butter, lemongrass, and other local plants. The idea for the soap came to Dembele when he was studying microbiology at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. He wanted to find a way to combat malaria, which is a major problem in the region, without relying on insecticides, which can be expensive and harmful to the environment. After experimenting with different ingredients and formulations, Dembele eventually created the soap that could repel mosquitoes and prevent malaria. The soap works by using the natural properties of the plant extracts to create an odour that repels mosquitoes, making it less likely that someone who uses the soap will be bitten and infected with malaria. Overall, Moctar Dembele's work represents a powerful example of how innovation and ingenuity can be used to address some of the world's most pressing health challenges. By developing a simple, low-cost solution that harnesses the power of natural ingredients, he has helped to improve the lives of countless people and communities affected by malaria.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Morris Mbetsa

Morris Mbetsa is a Kenyan inventor and entrepreneur. Mbetsa's interest in technology began at a young age, and he started experimenting with electronics and programming as a teenager. He went on to study computer science and engineering at the University of Nairobi, and later founded his own company, Mbetsa Innovations, to pursue his passion for innovation. In addition to his inventions, Mbetsa is also a public speaker and mentor, and he is involved in initiatives that aim to promote science and technology education in Kenya. He has received several awards and recognitions for his work, including being named one of Africa's top 30 most promising young entrepreneurs by Forbes magazine in 2016.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Henri Nyakarundi

Henri Nyakarundi is an entrepreneur and social innovator from Burundi. He is the founder of ARED (African Renewable Energy Distributor), a social enterprise that provides a platform for small-scale African entrepreneurs to sell solar-powered mobile phone charging kiosks (called "Mobile Solar Kiosks" or "MSKs") to off-grid communities. The kiosks are powered by solar panels and can charge up to 80 phones a day. Nyakarundi, who was born in Burundi, grew up in Rwanda and later moved to the United States where he worked as a software developer. He returned to Rwanda in 2013 and founded ARED as a solution to the lack of reliable electricity and mobile phone charging services in rural communities. His work has also been featured in media outlets such as CNN, Forbes, and the BBC.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Mr Mohammed "Mo" Ibrahim

Mohammed "Mo" Ibrahim is a Sudanese-British businessman and philanthropist who is best known as the founder and chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. He worked for several telecommunications companies, including BT Group and Cellnet, before founding his own company, Celtel International, in 1998. Under his leadership, Celtel became one of the leading mobile phone operators in Africa, with operations in over 20 countries. In 2006, Ibrahim founded the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote good governance and leadership in Africa. The foundation is best known for its annual Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures the quality of governance in African countries based on a variety of indicators, including safety and security, rule of law, and human rights. In addition to his work with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Ibrahim serves on the board of several organizations, including the Clinton Global Initiative and the African Union Foundation.

2023 A.G.A Nominee

Leymah Gbowee

Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist who is best known for her role in ending the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Gbowee's activism began in the 1990s, when she became involved in protests against the regime of Liberian dictator Charles Taylor. She was later forced to flee to Ghana, where she continued her activism and became a leader of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement, which organized protests and sit-ins to demand an end to the war. In 2003, Gbowee led a women's peace movement that helped to bring an end to the civil war in Liberia, which had ravaged the country for over a decade. Her efforts were recognized with several awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, which she shared with two other women for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work. Since receiving the Nobel Prize, Gbowee has continued to work as an advocate for peace, human rights, and women's empowerment, both in Liberia and around the world. She has founded several organizations, including the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa and the Women, Peace, and Security Network Africa, and has served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She is widely regarded as a leading voice for peace and justice in Africa and a symbol of hope for women's rights and empowerment globally.