From her early days, she embarked on a journey fuelled by a deep-rooted desire to uplift the voices of the youth and inspire positive change. Her dedication led her to work closely with organizations such as Generation Unlimited, where she has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for young minds to unleash their potential and drive innovation.

She is currently serving as the Youth Envoy at the African Union Commission. As the African Union Youth Envoy, Chido has become a resounding voice for the aspirations of the African youth. Her efforts to amplify their concerns on the regional and international stage have earned her admiration and respect across borders.

By advocating for policies that prioritize youth development, education, and employment, she paves the way for a brighter future for countless young individuals. Her commitment to environmental sustainability is equally inspiring.

Through her endeavours, she underscores the importance of collective action in tackling the urgent environmental challenges we face today. She was recently recognized with the International Environmental Leadership Award, a testament to her dedication to safeguarding our planet.

He is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems. Njavwa is the founder and CEO of Caantin, formerly TopUp Mama, a platform that builds technology and products that help restaurant entrepreneurs manage, purchase, and finance their inventory.

Powered by AI, Caantin is building infrastructure to enable commerce and level the playing field for all, from mom-and-pop restaurants to local fruit suppliers, to increase global GDP. Njavwa previously worked at Lori in a Global Product Operations role and co-founded Musanga Logistics. This logistics company provides last-mile delivery services to businesses in Kenya. He inspires entrepreneurs and changemakers across Africa and mentors budding entrepreneurs at Google for Startups.

Powered by AI, Caantin is building infrastructure to enable commerce and level the playing field for all, from mom-and-pop restaurants to local fruit suppliers, to increase global GDP. Njavwa previously worked at Lori in a Global Product Operations role and co-founded Musanga Logistics. This logistics company provides last-mile delivery services to businesses in Kenya. He inspires entrepreneurs and changemakers across Africa and mentors budding entrepreneurs at Google for Startups.

But the true driving force behind its transformation lies in its youth—the dynamic, ambitious, and innovative individuals who are shaping a brighter tomorrow.

In a world that’s constantly evolving, African youth are at the forefront of change. Their passion for progress, determination to break barriers, and hunger for knowledge are propelling the continent forward.

With a spirit of resilience born from overcoming challenges, they are rewriting narratives and building bridges towards sustainable development.

From bustling urban centers to remote rural communities, African youth are initiating transformation in every corner.

They are entrepreneurs developing cutting-edge solutions for local challenges, advocates for social justice raising their voices against inequality, and tech pioneers harnessing innovation to bridge gaps in education and healthcare.

As the world marks International Youth Day, Empower Africa proudly spotlights 30 exceptional individuals who are driving positive change, innovation, and progress across the continent.

At Empower Africa, our mission is to catalyze sustainable economic development through human capital investment, and these 30 young leaders are exemplary embodiments of that mission, carving paths of impact in various fields.

1. Jessica Annor – Head of the Youth, Gender and Women’s Empowerment Unit – African Union Development Agency-NEPAD

2. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba – Special Envoy on Youth to African Union Chairperson

3. Cynthia Chigwenya – African Youth Ambassador for Peace (AYAP) for Southern Africa (African Union)

4. Nicholas Addae Mensah – Founder & President – Youth Network For Health Promotion

5. Simi Nwogugu – CEO at JA Africa

6. Joshua Alade – Executive Director – Nigeria Youth SDGs Network

7. Kingsley Godwin – CYPAN Chairperson – The Commonwealth

8. Damilola Hamid Balogun – CEO – Youth Sustainable Development Network

9. Dr. Femi Awoyomi – African Youth Development Champion

10. Lucy Mutuku – CEO – National Youth Caucus Kenya

11. Rogers Omollo – East Africa Coordinator – African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN)

12. Arnold Gekonge – Founder – Champions for SDGs Youth

13. Christine Odera – Member Board Of Directors – National Youth Service Kenya

14. Doreen Moraa – AS Young leader 2021

15. Lennox Omondi – Global Youth Ambassador – Theirworld

16. Anita Soina – Head of Socials – African Youth Climate Assembly

17. Gathoni Kungu – Vice President at Youth Up Global

18. Sharmi Surianarain – Chief Impact Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator

19. Mariam Sedky – Youth Advocate Gender Innovation Agora (GIA) at UN Women

20. Emmanuel Wabwire – CEO & Founder Faraja Africa Foundation

21. Denis Wembi – Project CO- Lead, Youth Cast

22. Jovia Kisaakye – Youth Advocate

23. Rebecca Cherop – Youth Advisory Team for Health at Africa CDC

24. Emolot Allan David – Chairperson-AfCFTA Youth Advisory Council

25. Akuot Sarah – Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports (South Sudan)

26. Floyd (Mr F) Mokhena – Youth Advocate

27. Risuna (O) Maluleke – CEO of Young African Entrepreneurs Institute

28. Valentine Mugun – Youth Leader at Global Partnership for Education

29. Mihret Walelgne – Youth Advisor at Mastercard Foundation

30. Zebiba Musema – Pan African Youth Leadership Program Adult Mentor

He is the co-founder and CEO of Trella, a Cairo-based trucking marketplace that connects shippers to carriers. Trella offers services and technology to empower drivers, improve their efficiency, boost their earnings and utilization, and create job opportunities.

Omar has a proven track record of success in the technology industry, having previously worked as the Launch and Expansion EMEA Manager with Uber in the UK, where he set up the operations for UberEATS across EMEA in Dubai, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Riyadh, and 40+ cities in the UK. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy.

He is also a member of the Raba Partnership, an organization that provides mentorship and support to early-stage entrepreneurs in Africa. Omar’s notable accomplishments include successfully raising the largest seed round in Egypt to date for Trella. A passionate entrepreneur with a proven track record, Omar also strongly advocates for using technology to improve people’s lives in Africa.

With her passion for transforming healthcare, Alli is revolutionizing pharmacare and improving access to medication through innovative digital solutions. As a pharmacist, Alli recognized the challenges faced by patients in accessing essential medications and healthcare services. Determined to bridge this gap, she founded OneHealth, an innovative platform that leverages technology to digitize and streamline the pharmacare experience.

Through OneHealth, Alli aims to empower patients by providing convenient access to medication, healthcare information, and personalized support. The platform offers a range of services, including prescription management, medication reminders, online consultations with pharmacists, and doorstep delivery of medications. One of the key accomplishments of Adeola Alli and her team at OneHealth is their commitment to driving the digital transformation of pharmacare in Nigeria.

By embracing technology and digital solutions, they are improving medication adherence, reducing errors, and enhancing the overall patient experience. With her leadership and innovative approach, Alli is driving significant change in the Nigerian healthcare industry and making a positive impact by making medication and healthcare services more accessible, convenient, and efficient for patients across the country.

As the CEO of OneHealth, she continues to inspire and pave the way for future health-tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria, showcasing the power of technology in improving healthcare outcomes and transforming lives.

He is the co-founder of WeCashUp, a fintech startup that enables businesses to accept multiple payment methods seamlessly across various African countries. WeCashUp’s innovative technology allows users to make payments using mobile money, bank cards, and other local payment methods, making it easier for businesses to access and serve customers in Africa’s diverse and fragmented digital payment landscape.

The platform aims to bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and mobile money services, promoting regional financial inclusion. Cedric’s journey as an entrepreneur started with a bold vision – to bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and the vast potential of mobile money services in Africa. His tireless efforts in promoting tech entrepreneurship and innovation have not gone unnoticed. He has been an inspiring advocate for nurturing a thriving tech ecosystem in Africa.

As the Senior Partnership Officer at AfriLabs, Felista plays a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that support technology and innovation hubs across the continent. AfriLabs is a pan-African network of technology and innovation hubs renowned for its relentless commitment to nurturing and scaling startups in Africa.

Felista’s unwavering dedication and passion have earned her recognition as a key influencer, contributing significantly to the growth of Africa’s business and technology landscape.

At Afrilabs, she is at the forefront of forging strategic collaborations that enable AfriLabs to extend its reach and impact across the continent. Her ability to cultivate these partnerships has played a crucial role in securing critical funding and resources to empower AfriLabs’ member hubs and startups.

Through her leadership, Felista has overseen the establishment of groundbreaking initiatives that have accelerated the growth of African startups. She has been instrumental in creating programs that facilitate access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and make a lasting impact in their communities. Felista is also passionate about gender diversity and women’s empowerment in the tech and startup space.