Avance Media Announces 2022’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans

Leading PR & Rating firm Avance Media has announced the 7th edition of its prestigious annual publication, the 2022 100 Most Influential Young Africans. This publication recognises and celebrates young people who are making a positive impact in their communities and industries across the continent.

The 2022 100 Most Influential Young Africans feature young people from 25 different countries, with 31 Nigerians being the highest representatives, followed by 11 Kenyans, 10 Ghanaians, 5 South Africans, and 7 Tanzanians. The list also showcases the diversity and strength of young people, with 43 females and 57 males.

The publication covers young people working in a variety of industries, including media, business, leadership, climate change, and entertainment. These young Africans are setting the pace for their peers and inspiring a new generation to take on leadership roles and make positive impacts in their communities.

In a statement by Prince Akpah, the Founder and Managing Director of Avance Media, he said, “We are proud to announce the 7th edition of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of young people across the continent. This publication is a testament to the remarkable resilience and potential of Africa’s young people and a celebration of their determination to make a positive impact in their communities.”

He went on to say, “We hope this list will inspire more young people to take on leadership roles and to continue to make a positive impact in their communities. It also serves as a platform for recognition, networking, and collaboration, allowing these young people to drive change and make a lasting impact on the continent.”

Avance Media’s 2022 100 Most Influential Young Africans Publication is a celebration of the achievements and potential of young people across the continent. The 7th edition serves as a platform for recognition, inspiration, and collaboration, encouraging young people to take on leadership roles and make a positive impact in their communities.

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2022 100 Most Influential Young Africans arranged in alphabetical order.


Abubakar Nur Khalil || CEO, Recursive Capital
Achraf Hakimi || Footballer, PSG
Ama Qamata || Actress
Amanda Dlamini || Football Analyst
Amandla Ooko-Ombaka || Partner, McKinsey & Company
Amina Priscille Longoh || Minister of Women and the Protection of Early Childhood, Chad
Angella Okutoyi || Tennis Player
Anita Soina || Founder, Spice Warriors
Anna Ekeledo || Executive Director, Afrilabs
Asake || Musician
Asisat Oshoala || Footballer, FC Barcelona Femení
Aya Chebbi || Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
Barbara Gonzalez || CEO, Simba Sports Club
Benjamin Fernandes || CEO, Nala Money
Black Sherif || Musician
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo || Special Advisor & Africa Director, Climate Champion
Burna Boy || Musician
Canary Mugume || Journalist, NBS Television
Caren Wakoli || Executive Director, Emerging Leaders Foundation
Charlot Magayi || CEO, Mukuru Stoves
Chido Cleo Mpemba || Youth Envoy, African Union
Chude Jideonwo || Host, WithChude
CkAY || Musician
Daniel U. Anthony (True Crime Daniel) || YouTuber
Davido || Musician
Debo Adedayo || Comedian & Activist
Edith Yah Brou || Blogger & Influencer
Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa || CEO, Akello
Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti || Executive Director, Green Generation Initiative
Elvis Agyemang (Rev) || Pastor & Host, Alpha Hour
Emilia Nghikembua || CEO, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia
Emma Inamutila Theofelus || Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Namibia
Faith Keza || CEO, Irembo Ltd
Farida Bemba Nabourema || Activist & Founder, Africa Bitcoin Conference
Ferdinand Omanyala || Athlete
Fireboy DML || Musician
Francis Zavier Ngannou || Martial Artist
Hakim Ziyech || Footballer, Chelsea FC
Ham Serunjogi || CEO, Chipper Cash
Ife Durosinmi-Etti || CEO, Herconomy
Ilwad Elman ||
Ini Dima-Okojie || Actress
Isima Odeh || Founder, Africa Facts Zone
Issam Chleuh || Regional Manager (West & Central Africa), United Nations Capital Development Fund
Jenovive Chinyere || CEO, Pacific Corporation
Johnson Sakaja || Governor, Nairobi
Jokate Mwegelo || District Commissioner for Temeke, Tanzania
Joshua Amponsem || Founder, Green Africa Youth Organization
Kalidou Koulibaly || Footballer, Chelsea FC
Khaby Lame || Social Media Influencer
Khadija Mohamed Elbedweihy || CEO, PraxiLabs
Kili Paul || Digital Content Creator
Kizz Daniel || Musician
Kojo Soboh || CEO, EMY Africa
Kwame A.A. Opoku || CEO, Reset Global People
Larry Madowo || On-air Personality, CNN
Mbosso || Musician
Michael Kwesi Ofori || CEO, Investor Hub Africa
Mihlali Ndamase || Influencer
Millard Ayo || Journalist
Mohamed Adow || Founder, PowerShift Africa
Mohamed Salah || Footballer, Liverpool FC
Mohammed Kudus || Footballer, Ajax FC
Moses Bliss || Musician
Moussa Kondo || Country Director, Sahel Institute
Mr Eazi || Musician
Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan || Head of Building Power, Climate Action Network International
Nancy Isime || Actress
Ncuti Gatwa || Actor
Nelly Cheboi || CEO, TechLit Africa
Odunayo Eweniyi || Co-Founder, PiggyVest
Olubanjo Olugbenga || CEO, Reeddi
Omah Lay || Musician
Osas Ighodaro || Actress
Patience Masua || Member of Parliament, Namibia
Peace Hyde || Journalist, Forbes Africa
Rachel Sibande (Dr.) || CEO, mHub
Rema || Musician
Sadio Mane || Footballer, Bayern Munich
Samson Itodo || Founder, YIAGA Africa
Sarah Abdelbaky || Journalist
Satta Sheriff || Activist
Sheilah C Gashumba || Journalist, NBS Television
Shinez Chalabi || Head of startups & VCs in the Middle East and Africa, Google
Stonebwoy || Musician
Tay Grin || Musician
Tayo Aina || YouTuber
Tems || Musician
Tesi Rusagara || Managing Director, Kigali Innovation City
Theo Baloyi || CEO, Bathu
Thuso Mbedu || Actress
Tino Waked || Regional General Manager, Uber MEA
Tunde Ednut || Online Influencer
Vanessa Nakate || Founder, Riseup Movement Africa
Vincent Aboubakar || Footballer, Beşiktaş
Wemimo Abbey || Co-CEO, Esusu
William Last KRM || Comedian
Wizkid || Musician
Wode Maya || YouTuber
Zuchu || Musician