Tems, Ayra Starr, Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Abeng, others named in Forbes Africa’s ’30 Under 30′ [Full list]

Forbes Africa has published its annual 30 Under 30 list, which honours exceptional young entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders under the age of 30.

This year’s list, dubbed “The Newest Self-Made Young Innovators and Leaders Scripting a New Vision for Africa,” recognises the exceptional achievements of 30 “multi-tasking multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders” who are driving Africa’s progress on their own terms.

Tems, Ayra Starr, Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Joel Abeng, and Khloe ‘Koko’ Abiri are among those on the roster.

The finalists were chosen from a pool of over a thousand applicants by a panel of independent external judges and subject-matter experts, as well as previous Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 alumni, an editorial team headed by Under 30 curator Chanel Retief, and a panel of independent external judges and subject-matter experts.

The rigorous selection process took into account aspects such as innovation, scalability, social effect, and overall contribution to Africa’s development.

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“Everything is developing all over again in post-pandemic Africa; everything is a work in progress. That was evident in the talent pool we got… because there is a new generation of people who are aware of the changes taking place on the continent and are developing concepts and solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing issues,” said the Editor of Forbes.

He further added, “There are also issues that have been present for a long time and are now being addressed as rapidly as possible. What we need to emphasise is the speed with which they are attempting to implement some of these concepts.”

“They are also developing their own brand and changing the continent’s image,” Renuka Methil, the Managing Editor of Forbes Africa added.

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And the members of the class of 2023 are:

• Dr. Wedu Tose Somolekae, 29, Botswana – Medi-Glow Aesthetics Founder – Industry: Aesthetic care

• Khethokuhle ‘Kay Yarms’ Ngonyama, 29 years old, South Africa – Beauty Influencer – Industry: Content production

• Koaile Monaheng, 29 years old, Lesotho – Associate Director and Shareholder, Khanta Energy – Industry: Renewable Energy

• Mutethia Mbaabu, 29 years old, Kenya – Co-founder and CEO of MarketForce – E-Commerce

• Oluwabusayo Victoria Abiri, 29, Nigeria – Founder and CEO of Koko By Khloe – Beauty and Skincare Industry

• Rosalia Nghitalesheni Joseph, 28, Namibia – Regional Coordinator, WIVC, Central and Southern Africa – Industry: Medical entomologist/public scholar

• Temilade Openiyi / ‘Tems,’ 27 – Singer-songwriter – Industry: Music and Entertainment

• Oyinkansola ‘Ayra Starr’ Sarah Aderibigbe, 20, Benin/Nigeria – Singer – Industry: Music and Entertainment

• Dr. Olivier Uwishema, 29 years old, Rwanda – Founder of Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO) – Industry: Medicine/Research

• ‘Focalistic’ Lethabo Sebetso, 26, South Africa – Rapper – Music and Entertainment Industry

• Joel Embiid, 29, Cameroon – Center for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA – Industry: Professional Basketball Player

• South African – Thembi Kgatlana, 26 – Racing Louisville FC forward and South Africa women’s national team player – Industry: Professional Football

• Mohammed Kudus, 22, Ghana – Attacking midfielder for Ajax and the Ghana national squad in the Eredivisie – Industry: Professional Football

• Sharva Hassamal, 29, of Mauritius, is the founder of Portage Labs and works in the information technology industry.

• Alessandrio Bergman, 29, South Africa – SYNC Model Management Founder – Fashion and Marketing Industry

• Cheslin Denman, 29, South Africa – Trustlink Africa Hub Managing Director and Co-Founder – Industry: Fintech

• Mhlengi Mluleki Ngcobo, 28 years old, South Africa, Founder and CEO of CoffeeMM – Industry: Agriculture

• Talifhani Tshitwamulomoni, 29, South Africa – Green Development Foundation – Industry: Sustainability

• Cody Gordon, 26 years old, South Africa – Co-founder and CEO of CG Technology Group (be honest, Constructive Candor, and It’sOk) – Industry: Mental Health Technology

• Dricus ‘Still Knocks’ du Plessis, 29, South Africa – Professional mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight category – Industry: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

• Isaack Damian Buhiye, 28 years old from Tanzania, is the CEO of Firm 23 Limited, which specialises in digital enterprise solutions.

• Emmanuel Whajah, 29, Ghana – Creative Director, Videographer, and Owner of Emzy Production Films – Film and Entertainment Industry

• Jacques Jordaan, 27, South Africa – Specno Co-Founder and Director – Industry: Entrepreneur/Technology

• Blessing Joel Abeng, 28, Nigeria – Co-founder and Communications Director, Ingressive For Good – Industry: Branding and Communications

• Jessica Mshama, 27, Tanzania – Nakua Na Taifa Langu, Director of Assumpter Digital Schools, Founder and CEO – Industry: Entrepreneur/Social Impact

• Germain Ndu-Okeke, 24, Nigeria – Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Weevil Company – Industry: Technology

• Asisat Oshoala, 28, Nigeria – Striker for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona and the Nigeria women’s national squad – Industry: Professional Footballer

• Jacques Jordaan, 27, South Africa – Co-founder and Director, Specno – Industry: Entrepreneur/Technology

• ‘Mpoomy’ Nompumelelo Ledwaba, South Africa – 29 years old – Entrepreneur/Digital Creator – Industry: Digital Marketing

• Yvette Ishimwe, 25, Rwanda – Iriba Water Group Founder and CEO – Industry: Water Solutions

• Hansel Ndu Okeke, 28 years old, Nigeria – Co-founder and CEO of Weevil Company – Industry: Technology

• Germain Ndu-Okeke, Nigeria – Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Weevil Company – Industry: Technology – Age: 24