In recognition of their works which have impacted lives across the continent and their outstanding contributions towards the development of Africa in a diverse range of fields, Africa Youth Awards yesterday on its official website announced 100 Young Africans from 32 African countries in its 2020 ranking of 100 Most Influential Young Africans.

The list, now in its 5th year of annual publication is an initiative curated by Leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media and Africa Youth Awards has previously helped to celebrate and throw the spotlight on the remarkable achievements and contributions of young people (young politicians, activists, influencers, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, athletes across 10 categories who are making African proud in Africa and globally through taking it towards the development of the African continent and also serving as a motivation to millions of young people across the globe.

Sharing insights on the publication, Prince Akpah; Founding President of Africa Youth Awards, said the list features 49 females and 51 males, all representing from 29 African countries; with Eddy Kenzo, Burna Boy, Peace Hyde, Bobi Wine, Simi, African Union Youth Envoy Aya Chebbi, Diamond Platnumz, Caster Semenya and climate change activists Vanessa Nakate & Nisreen Elsaim, footballers Alex Iwobi & Mohamed Salah, showing face on the list.
Prince Akpah, the Managing Director of Avance Media noted: “the 2020 list features young people pursuing various interests intended to put the name of the continent on the globe through selfless sacrifices and spirited leadership”. He also stated that young people are motivated by the stories of these young achievers who continue to take a lead amid a global pandemic. He also emphasized that these individuals were shining lights in their respective fields.

Excited about the news, Eddy Kenzo, who also recently won in the HAPA Awards, expressed his delight on Twitter after being named on the list for the second year in a row.

https://twitter.com/eddykenzoficial/status/1323660191024504832?s=19

Other notable Ugandan achievers on are NBS TV’s Investigative Journalist & News Anchor Solomon Serwanjja, Musician, Kyadondo East Constituency MP & now 2021 Presidential Aspirant Bobi Wine, award winning BBC Africa News Anchor/ Journalist Nancy Kacungira, plus climate change and Justice activist Vanessa Nakate.

The list also features 7 young ministers from across the continent, including Angola’s Finance Minister, Vera Esperança dos Santos Daves, Rwanda’s ICT Minister, Paula Ingabire, Sudan’s Minister of Youth, Wala’a Essam al-Boushi and Namibia’s deputy ICT minister, Emma Inamutila Theofelus.

Nigeria recorded the highest representation with 21 young achievers, with Ghana, Kenya and South Africa also recording a representation of 10 young people each. Uganda had a representation of 6.

The announcement of the list precedes the African Union’s annual Africa Youth Day celebration, which will recognize young African trailblazers from across the continent for 2020.

The criteria for selection included: Excellence in Leadership & Performance, Personal accomplishments, Commitment to sharing knowledge, Breaking the Status Quo and being an accomplished young African.

Here’s the full official list of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2020 (arranged in alphabetical order):

Abasi Ene-Obong (54Gene)

Abdoulaye “ABD” Traore (WatsUp TV)

Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)

Adebola Williams (RED | For Africa)

Adetola Nola (Veritasi Homes and Properties)

Adji Bousso Dieng (Computer Scientist)

Alain Nteff (Healthlane)

Alex Iwobi (Everton)

Amina Priscille Longoh (Minister, Women and Protection of Children, Chad)

Anwar Bougroug (Fashion Designer)

Arielle Kitio Tsamo (Cameroon Youth School Tech Incubator)

Ashish Thakkar (Mara Group)

Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Femení)

Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou (Minister, Digital Economy and Communications, Benin)

Aya Chebbi (African Union Youth Envoy)

Berla Mundi (OAP)

Betty Kyallo (Journalist)

Bobi Wine (MP, Kyadondo East Constituency, Uganda)

Boniface Mwangi (Activist)

Boubou (Artist)

Bright Simons (IMANI Africa)

Broda Shaggi (Comedian)

Burna Boy (Musician)

Caster Semenya (Athlete)

Charlette N’Guessan (BACE Group)

Charlot Magayi (Mukuru Stoves)

Christian Achaleke Leke (Youth Development Expert)

Clarisse Iribagiza (Computer Scientist)

Dancegod Lloyd (Dancer)

Daniel Dotse (Lead for Ghana)

Davido (Musician)

Dentaa Amoateng (GUBA Foundation)

Diamond Platnumz (Musician)

DJ Neptune (Disc Jockey)

Dorcas Wangira (Citizen TV)

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (OAP)

Eddy Kenzo (Musician)

Edith Brou (Blogger)

Edith Kimani (DW)

Emma Inamutila Theofelus (Deputy Minister, ICT, Namibia)

Emtithal Mahmoud (Activist)

Fadzayi Mahere (Spokesperson, MDC Alliance, Zimbabwe)

Fatoumata Bâ (Janngo)

Fejiro Hanu Agbodje (Patricia Technologies)

Gregory Rockson (mPharma)

Habila Malgwi (Global Citizen Forum)

Hadeel Osman (Fashion Revolution)

Ilwad Elman (Elman Peace and Human Rights Center)

Innoss’B (Musician)

Javnyuy Joybert (Speaker)

Joeboy (Musician)

Joel Nanauka (Speaker)

John Obidi (Speaker)

Karl Kugelmann (Model)

Kiki Mordi (Journalist)

Kuami Eugene (Musician)

Lamin Darboe (National Youth Council, Gambia)

Lelise Neme (Ethiopian Investment Commission)

Master KG (Musician)

Mbwana Samatta (Fenerbahce)

Melene Rossouw (Women Lead Movement)

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Nancy Kacungira (BBC Africa)

Nelson Kwaje (Defy Hate Now)

Nermine Sfar (Dancer)

Ngombe Tamaris (Collectif Entre Elles)

Nisreen Elsaim (UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change)

Njugush (Comedian)

Odunayo Eweniyi (PiggyVest)

Ogutu Okudo (SpringRock Group)

Ola Brown (Flying Doctors)

Olugbenga Agboola (Flutterwave)

Orondaam Otto (Slum2School)

Paula Ingabire (Minister, ICT and Innovation, Rwanda)

Peace Hyde (Forbes Africa)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Qabale Duba (Qabale Duba Foundation)

Rachel Sibande (mHub)

Rediet Abebe (Computer Scientist)

Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Sandrine Umutoni (Imbuto Foundation)

Satta Sheriff (Action for Justice and Human Rights)

Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa (Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab)

Simi (Musician)

Siya Kolisi (Rugby Player)

Solomon Serwanjja (NBS TV)

Stonebwoy (Musician)

Takele Uma Banti ((Minister, Mines, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ethiopia)

Temie Giwa Tubosun (LifeBank)

Thando Thabethe (OAP)

Theo Baloyi (Bathu Shoes)

Thuso Mbedu (Artist)

Tumi Sole (CountyDuty)

Umra Omar (Safari Doctors)

Vanessa Nakate (Climate Justice Activist, Uganda)

Vera Esperança dos Santos Daves (Minister, Finance, Angola)

Victor Wanyama (Montreal Impact)

Vusi Thembekwayo (Speaker)

Wala’a Essam al-Boushi (Minister, Youth and Sport, Sudan)

Yawa Hansen-Quao (Emerging Public Leaders)

About the Africa Youth Awards:

Africa Youth Awards is a prestige award scheme with the prime aim of appreciating the works of young Africans in Africa and the Diaspora. Launched in 2014, the awards scheme was inspired by the lack of recognition for young Africans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to making sure the future of Africa is optimistic.

From me to all the inductees, CONGRATULATIONS! 👏🏻