The 100 Most Positively Inspiring African Youths of 2017

As we navigate through the tumultuous waters of life, we meet people who inspire us negatively or positively. When we launched the 100 Most Positively Inspiring African Youths (100 MPIAY) scheme in November 2017, we hoped to recognize 100 African youths who have inspired many others to think, talk or act positively. Much to our surprise, in just the first edition, we received hundreds of nominations from 30 countries in Africa and the diaspora, an indication that Africans are rising up to emulate the youths who have inspired them to make positive change, no matter how small it may seem.

We read very inspiring stories from the nominations but while we celebrated the selected 100 on their accomplishments, we were most struck by their journey of test, trial and triumph. We were touched by their seemingly small acts of kindness, the responsibility with which they saw a need and took the lead to solve problems in their communities. We were impressed by the positivity with which they transformed stumbling blocks into stepping stones, the courage with which they dared to dream big, challenging status quo and pursued their dreams against all odds as well as their actions and words which inspired many to be the positive change they wish to see.

The 100 MPIAY scheme celebrates the person behind the achievement and the positive impact he or she has had. After a rigorous selection process, 100 youths were chosen from 27 African countries and classified under seven domains namely; Media and Entertainment, Leadership and Public service, Academics and Research, Science and Technology, Arts and Literature, Business and Entrepreneurship and Community development. Some of these youths whose ages ranged from 16 to 38 are the biggest names in Africa while some are people whose names you probably don’t know but who have a positive impact on their communities.

The list is as follows:

Aborisade Adetola – Nigeria

Agatha Wanjiru – Kenya

Ahmed Lagraoui – Morocco

Ahumuza Hezekiah – Uganda

Alex Mbise – Tanzania

Alexander Kyokwijuka – Uganda

Amani Katana – Kenya

Amine Aboud – Morocco

André Blondel Tonleu – Cameroon

Babalola Omoniyi – Nigeria

Barclay Paul Okari – Uganda

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu – Ethiopia

Bikeke Saimon – Uganda

Blessing Fortune Kwomo – Nigeria

Caroline Odera – Kenya

Chantal Butare – Rwanda

Charles Lipenga – Malawi

Chiamaka Obuekwe – Nigeria

Christopher Ategeka – Uganda

Cobhams Asuquo – Nigeria

Cornelius Adewale – Nigeria

Deana Moussa – Egypt

Diallo Mamadou Aliou – Guinea

Djibril Abdoul Diop – Mauritanie

Doris Mollel – Tanzania

Edouard Claude Oussou – Gabon

El Hadji Abou Gueye – Senegal

Elizabeth Kalemera – Uganda

Emmanuel Boris Melong Tsemo – Cameroon

Emna Ghariani – Tunisia

Farai Munjoma – Zimbabwe

Faruku Kibaba – Uganda

Florence Andenyi – Kenya

George Mtemahanji – Tanzania

Géraldine Vovor – Cote D’Ivoire

Getrude Joseph Mligo – Tanzania

Gilda Given Silayo – Tanzania

Godfrey Kule – Uganda

Graciana Baptista – Angola

Haneefah Adam – Nigeria

Hidaya Ibrahim – Ethiopia

Imbolo Mbue – Cameroon

Inoussa Maïga – Burkina Faso

Joseph Mosi – Tanzania

Joy Tiku Enighe – Nigeria

Julien Achille Agbé – Cote D’Ivoire

Justin Kingland – Nigeria

Justine Nabunya – Uganda

Kayli Vee Levitan – South Africa

Kechi Okwuchi – Nigeria

Keneth Twesigye – Uganda

Kenneth Kabagambe – Uganda

Kiara Nirghin – South Africa

Lebogang Maruapula – Botswana

Lola Odujinrin – Nigeria

Mabel Suglo – Ghana

Maman Dicko Sy – Senegal

Marius Binyou Bi Homb – Cameroon

Mogau Seshoene

Muzungu Hirwa Sylvan and Uhirwa Sylvie – Rwanda

Mubarak Muyika – Kenya

Naïr Abakar – Chad

Nkosana Mazibisa – Zimbabwe

Noela Lyonga – Cameroon

Obianugu Ekeotcha – Nigeria

Ochatre Nixon – Uganda

Omimi Okere – Nigeria

Ouedraogo W. T. D’Aquin – Burkina Faso

Ovbokhan Smart Ekhorutomwen – Nigeria

Paul Wanaye Wamimbi – Uganda

Paule-Marie Assandre – Cote D’Ivoire

Pelagia Majoni – Zimbabwe

Peter Saisi – Kenya

Rachel Chimwemwe Sibande – Malawi

Ratsimandresy Malala – Madagascar

Refilwe Ledwaba – South Africa

Rui Jaime – Angola

Samah Al-Gadi – Sudan

Samwel Mafie – Tanzania

Sandile Shezi – South Africa

Sandrine Diribe Mbeh – Cameroon

Saran Kaba Jones – Liberia

Senai Wonderufael – Ethiopia

Sharon Odhiambo – Kenya

Simpungwe Doreen James – Tanzania

Sirjeff Dennis – Tanzania

Sitawa Wafula – Kenya

Thione Niang – Senegal

Tobby Lordwiliams – Nigeria

Tshepy Matloga – South Africa

Vanessa Zommi – Cameroon

Vérone Mankou – Congo-Brazzaville

Veronica Kipingu – Tanzania

Victoria Udeh – Nigeria

Wadi Ben Hirki – Nigeria

Wildiley Barroca – Sao Tome

Wilhelm Oddo – Tanzania

Winnie Nyandiga – Kenya

Zakaria El Hamel – Morocco

Zakiyu Tindannayil – Ghana