The A.G.A recognises African excellence and celebrates outstanding Africans in their field. Outstanding African Achievers do qualify for consideration as nominees for our pinnacle accolade, the African Genius Award.
Mr. Masiyiwa is the founder and Executive Chairman of South African-based, diversified international telecommunications group Econet Wireless. Under his leadership and guidance, Econet Wireless has developed into a global telecommunications enterprise with a presence in more than 15 countries in Africa, Europe, and the East Asia-Pacific region. Econet Wireless was created in 1993 in Zimbabwe. After a 5-court battle to win the right to operate, it was granted a telephony license in 1998
Arnold is a Globally recognized and Multi Award winning Zambian Inventor and Entrepreneur. He is the Founder/CEO; Venturus Jumpstart Ltd, a Stainless-Steel Tech company. Arnold invented the first Stainless Steel Stove in Africa, and it uses electricity, gas, and solid fuel (3 in one). In future he plans to build Stove Assembling Plants in different countries which will later create employment. This stove avoids the high exposure to respiratory diseases like Asthma using charcoal and firewood
Now Author of 5 books, Stacey Fru is the youngest Author in Africa, if not the world, who wrote her first book: ‘Smelly Cats’ without her parents’ knowledge at the age of 7. This book was approved by the South African Department of Basic Education as suitable for young learners from Early Childhood through to Primary Schools. Stacey won 3 awards for this book and her other works before her 2nd book ‘Bob and the Snake’ was published. She is a philanthropist and the youngest Ambassador for Save the Children.
A Nigerian economist who is currently serving as the President of the African Development Bank. He previously served as Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and Chief Innovation Officer for the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Sierra Leone
Country Of Residence: The Democratic Republic of Congo
2022 A.G.A Honour
Dr Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga
A Congolese engineer, a professor of electrical engineering technology, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a government official leading the electrification initiative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
A Cameroonian philosopher, political theorist, and public intellectual who is Research Professor in History and Politics at the Wits Institute for Social and Economy Research at the University of the Witwatersrand
An advocate of the high courts of Kenya and Tanzania, prolific lawyer, law lecturer at the University of Nairobi, who has been the Director of The Kenya School of Laws since 2014
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Amanam is a Nigerian sculptor who has gained recognition for creating hyper-realistic prosthetic limbs for amputees, revolutionizing prosthetics in Africa with his innovative designs that match the skin tone of black people.
From South Africa, founder of Gift of the Givers, one of Africa's largest disaster relief organizations, Dr. Sooliman has significantly impacted humanitarian aid across the continent.
South African storyteller and activist Nokugcina Elsie Mhlophe is renowned for preserving African oral traditions and promoting literacy. Her storytelling has captivated audiences globally, celebrating African culture and heritage.
Ghanaian-born Patrick Awuah Jr. is the founder of Ashesi University, a leading institution of higher education in Africa. His commitment to fostering ethical leadership and innovative thinking has transformed higher education on the continent.
From Tanzania, Patrick Epaphra Ngowi is a successful entrepreneur in the renewable energy sector. His work has provided sustainable energy solutions to rural communities, contributing to economic growth and environmental conservation.
From South Africa, Prof. Mark Nasila is an expert in data science and artificial intelligence. His research and applications in these fields have advanced technology and improved decision-making processes in various industries.
From Tunisia, Aya Chebbi is a prominent activist and former African Union Youth Envoy. She has championed youth empowerment and gender equality, influencing policies and inspiring young people across Africa.
Sudanese-born, Dr. Nahid Toubia is a pioneering surgeon and women’s health advocate. She has worked tirelessly to improve reproductive health services and fight against female genital mutilation (FGM).
Libyan activist Hajer Sharief is co-founder of the organization ‘Together We Build It.’ She has been a strong advocate for peace and women’s rights, contributing to the peacebuilding process in Libya and beyond.
Zambian-born Mwangala Maunga is a dedicated environmentalist. Her work in conservation and sustainable development has helped protect Africa’s natural resources and promote eco-friendly practices. At the age of 12, she invented a solar water purifier to provide clean water to both rural and urban areas.
Siyamthanda Kolisi is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team. In 2018, Kolisi was appointed captain of the Springboks, becoming the first black man to hold the position, and eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final and in 2023 Rugby World Cup final. He and his wife Rachel Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation to alleviate extreme poverty, mentor underprivileged youth and promote equality.
Somali-born Waris Dirie is a former supermodel and human rights activist. She has dedicated her life to fighting against FGM (female genital mutilation) and advocating for women’s rights globally.
Cameroonian mathematician Professor Abdon Atangana is renowned for his contributions to applied mathematics. His research has advanced mathematical sciences and their applications in solving real-world problems.