With 52 males and 48 females representing 32 countries on the continent, this year’s publication throws a huge spotlight on various talents and personalities pursuing their dreams in pursuit of making the continent proud and setting an example for young people on the continent.

With individuals from industries such as technology, business, entertainment, MD of Avance Media, Prince Akpah mentioned that, the continent is blessed with a lot of inspiring young people who have the power to prove the worth of the continent’s future. He also mentioned that, African leaders must focus resources in training its youthful population to be ready to compete with other young people from across the world.

Nigeria leads with representation on the list with 21 people followed closely by South Africa and Kenya with 10 individuals each, Uganda with 7 and Ghana with 6 young people.

Some notable names on the list include musicians Davido, Burnaboy, climate change activists such as Vanessa Nakate, Adenike Oladosu, Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti, Joanita Babirye, Leah Namugerwa and footballers, Mohammed Salah, Sadio mane and Edouard Mendy.

Criteria for selection for Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans included: Excellence in Leadership & Performance, Personal accomplishment, commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo and being an accomplished young African.

Below is the official list of Avance Media’ 2021 100 Most Influential Young Africans arranged in alphabetical order.

1. Abasi Ene-Obong || CEO, 54Gene
2. Abiodun Adereni (Dr) || Founder, Help Mum
3. Achraf Hakimi || Footballer, Paris Saint-Germain
4. Adenike Oladosu || Founder, ILeadClimate
5. Amina Priscille Longoh || Chad Minister, Women and Protection of Children
6. Amisa Rashid Kiligah || Founder, Nivishe Foundation
7. Anika Jane Dorothy || Executive Director, Green Congress of Kenya
8. Anoziva Marindire || Information & Communications Officer, AUICGWEA
9. Asha Jaffar || Activist
10. Axel Merryl || Comedian
11. Aya Chebbi || Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
12. Barrington Chungulo || Founder, Dream Factory
13. Berla Mundi || On Air Personality, TV3 Ghana
14. Bitania Lulu Berhanu || Special Adviser on Youth, EUCIP
15. Burna Boy || Musician           
16. Charlot Magayi || Founder, Mukuru Stoves
17. Christelle Kwizera || Founder, Water Access Rwanda
18. Christian Achaleke Leke || Youth Development Expert
19. CK Japheth || Founder            , The Innovative Village
20. Davido || Musician
21. Debo Adedayo || Comic Actor
22. Douce Namwezi N'Ibamba || Journalist, Uwezo Afrika Initiative
23. DUDU || Comic Actor
24. Eddie Ndopu || Activist
25. Edouard Mendy || Footballer, Chelsea
26. Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti || Climate Activist, Green Generation Initiative
27. Emma Inamutila Theofelus  || Namibia Deputy Minister, Ministry of ICT
28. Fadji Zaouna Maina (Dr) || Scientist, NASA Goddard
29. Fatou Jeng || Founder, Clean Earth Gambia
30. Fejiro Hanu Agbodje || Founder, Patricia Technologies
31. Feryal Abdelaziz || Athlete
32. Filsan Abdullahi || Activist
33. Fireboy DML || Musician
34. Focalistic || Musician
35. Georgina Siaba || Founder, The N'Takou
36. Given Edward || Founder, MyElimu Innovations
37. Grand P || Musician
38. Gregory Rockson || CEO, mPharma
39. Hadija Jabiri || CEO, EatFresh
40. Hilda Flavia Nakabuye || Founder, Fridays for Future movement
41. Ibrahim Mahama || Artist
42. Ire Aderinokun || Co-Founder, Feminist Coalition
43. Iron Biby || Athlete
44. Islam Elbeiti   || Co-Founder, Sudanese Innovation & Entrepreneurship Network
45. Iyin Aboyeji || Founder, Future Africa
46. JeanMarie Kalonji || Activist
47. Jemimah Kariuki (Dr) || Founder, Wheels for Life
48. Joanita Babirye || Co-Founder, GirlsForClimateAction
49. Joeboy || Musician
50. Joshua Cheptegei || Athlete
51. Kabza De Small || DJ
52. Kalidou Koulibaly || Footballer, Napoli
53. Karabo Mokgonyana || Activist
54. Khanyi Pearl Zungu || Chief Advisor Legal, Eskom
55. KiDi || Musician
56. Larry Madowo || Journalist, CNN
57. Leah Namugerwa || Climate Activist
58. Lelise Neme || CEO, Ethiopian Investment Commission
59. Lyna Khoudri || Actress
60. Manal || Musician
61. Mark Angel || Comic Actor
62. Maya Horgan Famodu || CEO, Ingressive
63. Mbosso || Musician
64. Melvyn Lubega || CEO, Go1
65. Mohamed Ramadan || Actor
66. Mohamed Salah || Footballer, Liverpool
67. Muzalema Mwanza || Founder, Safe Motherhood Alliance
68. Nadeen Ashraf || Activist
69. Nader Ahmed || Actor
70. Nadia Ahmed Abdalla            || Kenya CAS, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth
71. Nthabiseng Mosia || COO, Easy Solar
72. OBoy || Musician
73. Odunayo Eweniyi || Founder, PiggyVest
74. Ojima Benjamin Ufaruna || Founder, BuyPower
75. Olugbenga Agboola || Founder, Flutterwave
76. Omah Lay || Musician
77. Penton Keah || Comedian
78. Peres Jepchirchir || Athlete
79. Peruth Chemutai || Athlete
80. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang || Footballer, Arsenal
81. Richmond Bassey  || CEO, Bamboo
82. Riyad Mahrez || Footballer, Manchester City
83. Sadio Mane || Footballer, Liverpool
84. Sam Nartey George || Member of Parliament            (Ghana)
85. Samuel Alemayehu || CEO, New Co
86. Sarah Diouf   || CEO, Tongoro
87. Soraia Ramos || Musician
88. Tatjana Schoenmaker || Athlete
89. Tayo Aina || YouTuber
90. Tebogo Mashifana (Dr) || Lecturer, University of Johannesburg
91. Tems || Musician
92. Theo Baloyi || CEO, Bathu Shoes
93. Tom Osborn || CEO, Shamiri Institute
94. Ubah Ali || Activist
95. Vanessa Nakate || Climate Activist
96. William Last KRM || Actor
97. Wizkid || Musician
98. Wode Maya || YouTuber
99. Zozibini Tunzi || Miss Universe 2019           
100. Zuchu  || Musician

Source: Ifeanyi Ahyia Adjei