Here’s How Tomorrow’s African Leaders Will Improve the World

Published

10 Mar 2021

2021

Aylin Elci, Public Engagement, World Economic Forum, +41 75 404 10 95, aelc@weforum.org

The World Economic Forum today unveils the world’s most promising 112 Young Global Leaders under the age of 40, involved in activities ranging from reporting on racism to campaigning for inclusivity in medical research
Among the 56 countries represented, 11 leaders hail from Africa and their work brings the promise of a brighter outlook at a difficult time
They join a group of Nobel Prize recipients, Pulitzer winners, heads of state and chief executive officers committed to improving the state of the world
Discover the new YGL class on www.wef.ch/ygl21 and action against COVID-19 led by alumni

Geneva, Switzerland, 10 March 2021 – The world’s most driven researchers, innovative entrepreneurs, activists and promising political leaders between the ages of 30 and 40 are today joining the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2021.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was founded in 2005 by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, to create a world where leaders take responsibility for a sustainable future while meeting increasingly complex and interrelated challenges. Today, there are 1,400 members and alumni from more than 120 countries. Notable members include entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, politician Lindiwe Mazibuko, Minister Paula Ingabire and filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu.

YGLs are active in today’s most exciting and dynamic fields and focus on impact. In the past year they have worked on more than 30 COVID-19-related initiatives, including expanding the use of free public digital health services, launching data challenges to build an ecosystem that can help tackle the pandemic, creating mobile intensive care shelters, opening mental health support platforms and working on vaccine development

The class of 2021 is gender equal and has representatives from 56 countries. Members will take part in a five-year programme, which offers executive education courses, expeditions and opportunities to collaborate and test ideas among a trusted network of peers.

African YGLs will benefit from the Aliko Dangote Fellowship, made possible by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF). The aim of the fellowship is to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector. The fellowship helps YGLs from Africa to participate in YGL and Forum events.

“The YGL Class of 2021 is comprised of thoughtful and courageous leaders who will shape a more sustainable and inclusive post-pandemic era,” said Mariah Levin, Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

“We are delighted to welcome the class of 2021 at a time when cultivating responsible leadership is needed more than ever to steer us through the multiple challenges the world is facing,” said Nicole Schwab, Board Member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Academia and Research

Abasi Ene-Obong, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, 54gene, USA
Peter Biar Ajak, Visiting Fellow and Adjunct Faculty, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, USA

Global Health and Healthcare

Terrence Kommal, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Medical Expert Consulting Group, South Africa

Technology

Obi Ozor, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Kobo360, Nigeria
Clarisse Iribagiza, President, DMM.HeHe, Rwanda

Civil Society and Social Entrepreneurship

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), Chad
Sangu Delle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Health Holdings, Ghana
Wawira Njiru, Founder, Food for Education, Kenya

Public Figures

Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, South Africa
Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Zimbabwe
Vera Daves de Sousa, Minister of Finance, Angola

Note to Editors