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 Lillian Barnard 

African Changemaker

Lillian Barnard

Lillian is a South African tech enthusiast with extensive knowledge and experience in technology

She is currently serving as the President of Microsoft in Africa.

In her role, Lillian is leading Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to drive impact in Africa at scale.

The company’s impactful initiatives range from developing digital skills among African youth to supporting startups and entrepreneurs.

Before her current role, Lillian was the Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa, becoming the first woman to hold the position since the company reinvested in the country in the early 1990s.

Lillian is also playing a vital role in bridging the technology gender gap in Africa.

 

 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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 Shola Akinlade

African Changemaker

Shola Akinlade

Shola is a software engineer and fintech entrepreneur who has played a vital part in revolutionizing online payments in Nigeria.

He is the Co-Founder of Paystack, a company that provides payment solutions to businesses, helping them accept various payment methods, including debit and credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile money. Shola and his old schoolmate, Ezra Olubi, set out to unlock the Nigerian digital economy by offering businesses and individuals new ways to transact online.

 

In November 2015, Paystack was accepted into the Y Combinator accelerator program, helping propel it toward becoming one of Africa’s most prominent tech companies. Paystack’s success led to its acquisition by Stripe, a global online payment processing company, in October 2020. The acquisition marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian tech industry, showcasing the potential and talent within the country’s startup ecosystem. Shola’s entrepreneurial journey and efforts to transform the online payment landscape in Nigeria have earned him recognition as one of the notable figures in the Nigerian tech and business community.

 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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 Ory Okolloh

African Changemaker

Ory Okolloh

Ory is a Kenyan activist, lawyer, and a strong advocate for using technology to promote democracy and human rights.

Born in Kenya, Ory has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to advance good governance and transparency in Kenya. She was formerly the Policy Manager for Africa with Google. She is currently a Partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, a pan-African-focused venture capital firm that backs exceptional founders in and from Africa.

 

Her contribution to promoting good governance has earned her global recognition and honour. In 2011 Ory was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Africa’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes Magazine. In 2014 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

You may also like...

Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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 Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson

African Changemaker

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is a Nigerian health tech entrepreneur paving the way for a healthier and brighter future for all.

She is the Founder and CEO of Healthtracka , a health tech company making medical diagnostics accessible and affordable with at-home lab testing in Africa. Founded in 2021, Healthtracka offers API infrastructure for tele-health service providers, hospitals, and pharmacies, empowering them to provide at-home blood testing for their patients. Through Healthtracka, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is championing a new era of healthcare management by providing accessible tools and resources, all at the touch of a button.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Katlego Maphai

African Changemaker

Katlego Maphai

Katlego is a South African fintech entrepreneur passionate about creating opportunities for African entrepreneurs.

He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Yoco, an African technology company revolutionizing the payment landscape for small, medium and micro enterprises in Africa. Launched in 2015, Yoco is building tools and services to help small businesses get paid, run their business better, and grow.

The fintech offers card payment acceptance, software-driven business tools and working capital for SMEs. Yoco is on a mission to break down barriers and create access so that more businesses can participate in the economy and thrive by establishing new markets; building business tools and financial services that work for entrepreneurs. Katlego’s previous work involved venture development at Rocket Internet, helping to set up Jumia in Nigeria in 2012. His earlier career was in telecoms, media and technology management consulting at Accenture and Delta Partners.

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Winnifred Selby

Winnifred is an award-winning, multi-talented Ghanaian social entrepreneur who strongly advocates for women’s empowerment.

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Adeola Alli

Adeola Alli is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur behind onehealthng.com, a pioneering health-tech startup in Nigeria.

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Francis Nderitu

Francis Nderitu is a Kenyan tech entrepreneur redefining the cold chain industry and transforming how perishable goods are distributed across Kenya.

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Strive Masiyiwa

African Changemaker

Strive Masiyiwa

Strive Masiyiwa is a prominent Zimbabwean businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

He is best known as the founder and executive chairman of Econet Group, a telecommunications and technology company in several African countries. Masiyiwa played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the telecommunications industry in Africa by introducing mobile phones and wireless services to the continent. He is also the founder of Cassava Technologies.

 

Apart from his business ventures, Masiyiwa is recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Higherlife Foundation, which focuses on providing educational scholarships, healthcare support, and leadership development programs to young Africans. He has also been actively involved in initiatives to improve access to education and technology across the continent. Masiyiwa’s entrepreneurial achievements and contributions to society have earned him several accolades and honours, including being listed on Forbes’ list of Africa’s billionaires. He is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders and a champion for social and economic development on the continent.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Getnet Aseffa

African Changemaker

Getnet Aseffa

Getnet is an Ethiopian computer scientist enthusiastic about making a breakthrough in the capability of AI systems to think, learn and create and use cutting-edge technology to help leapfrog Africa into the future.

He is the Founder of iCog Labs, a renowned AI and Robotics Research and Development Company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As the Founder of iCog Labs, Getnet has been pivotal in fostering innovation and technological advancement in Ethiopia and beyond. His leadership and expertise positioned iCog Labs as a prominent player in the AI and robotics industry, not only in Ethiopia but also on a global scale.

 

Under Getnet’s visionary leadership, iCog Labs has emerged as a hub of innovation, research, and development. With a mission to harness the power of AI for social impact, iCog Labs has spearheaded numerous projects and initiatives, transforming various sectors and improving lives across the country.

You may also like...

Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Damilola Olokesusi

African Changemaker

Damilola Olokesusi

Damilola is an exceptional entrepreneur, a visionary leader, and a true inspiration to many.

She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Shuttlers, a transportation technology company based in Lagos, Nigeria. Shuttlers provides a platform that offers convenient and reliable shuttle services for commuters in major cities. The company aims to solve transportation challenges in urban areas by providing a shared mobility solution that is affordable, efficient, and comfortable. Damilola is also UNCTAD’s etrade for Women Advocate for Anglophone Africa, where she is contributing to building a more gender-inclusive digital economy in developing countries.

You may also like...

Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Alloysius Attah

African Changemaker

Alloysius Attah

Attah is a Ghanaian agtech entrepreneur passionate about helping African farmers grow their wealth.

Having experienced firsthand the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Africa while growing up in Ghana, Attah helped co-found Farmerline Group in 2013. Farmerline works with agribusinesses to empower smallholder farmers in Africa via mobile technology. These shop owners, usually the first point of knowledge for the farmers, are used by Farmerline to distribute educational material.

 

The partnering shops use the startup’s Mergdata, a proprietary AI technology platform for supply chain intelligence, to digitize the farmers they serve and to generate the data the agritech needs to predict the demand for farm supplies. Under Attah’s leadership, Farmerline has grown into a successful enterprise, working with over 200,000 farmers across Africa. The company has won several awards and recognition for its innovative approach to agriculture and technology. On his part, Attah has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, among other accolades.

You may also like...

Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
South African fintech and alternative funding provider Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million from Futuregrowth Asset Management.
South Africa’s digital banking innovator, Tyme Group, has secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion.
Proparco has announced a $5 million investment in the Equator Africa Fund through its FISEA+ facility to accelerate climate-focused innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.