Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards Celebrates Young Business Leaders Across the Continent

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The 2023 edition of Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards has once again brought attention to some of the brightest young executives driving growth and innovation across the continent. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, the ceremony highlighted the achievements of 27 outstanding business leaders under the age of 40 whose work is shaping Africa’s future in diverse sectors.

In a statement to the press, the organizers, Mayorkings Agency Group, explained that the awards were established to recognize young Africans who are building enterprises, creating jobs, and delivering solutions with measurable impact. They noted that the 2023 honorees emerged through a rigorous five-step selection process, including open nominations, eligibility screening, evaluation by an independent panel, background checks, and final selection. “The process was designed to ensure credibility and transparency, using global standards of assessment,” the statement added.

The statement outlined the screening process, which followed a five-stage model based on international standards to ensure credibility and fairness. Nominations were first opened to the public across all 54 African countries, with entries requiring full profiles that showed leadership achievements, business impact, and community contributions. After eligibility screening to confirm age, role, and African operations, an independent panel of experts from business, academia, and entrepreneurship carried out evaluations. The panel scored candidates on leadership, innovation, financial performance, governance, and societal impact using a balanced scorecard approach. This was followed by due diligence checks to verify company registrations, press features, and references before the final list was confirmed. Mayorkings Agency Group stressed that only those who met all the criteria and proved measurable impact in their fields were selected as honorees.

Among those honored are Nigerians such as media entrepreneur Jennifer Etito Oyubu, fintech executive Olayemi M. Awoeyo of Zhaap Nigeria, real estate player Ibitayo Subair of Ibis Real Estate, and businessman Prince Omoha of Prince Luxury Group. Others include South Africa’s Chantel Snyman, a finance and forex expert; Zimbabwe’s Hezel Sharon Sibanda, who heads Copia Amare Group; Namibia’s Rousa Nangula Shikoha of Kufindi; and Ghana’s Spindrella Kelly, CEO of Kardashev Technologies.

Also on the list are Dr. Gladys Emokpaire from Nigeria’s BluOrchid Aesthetics Clinic; Fikile Mdiniso of Infinite Tech Space, South Africa; Mfho Malefane from Lesotho’s Peculiar FX and Apparel; Riham Yusuf from Ethiopia’s Paveway Africa; Ayeni Esther Omolola of Queenesse World, Nigeria; Joseph Oluwatomisin Opaleke of CS Media NG, Nigeria; Adelolu Adewale Oluwaseun, a Nigerian consultant; and Opara Emmanuel Chukwuemeka of OPEC TV.

Other winners include Constance Owoyomi, founder of Style by Constance; Hajah Angel Sanoe of Beauty by Angel, Liberia; Sarah Ujunwa Chukwukere of Sarah’s Place Empire; Dr. Atong Amos Agook Juac of Triple A Petroleum, South Sudan; Dr. Phophi Ramabulana of VhataNuni Foundation, South Africa; and Sarah Banda from Zambia. They are joined by Ethiopian tech entrepreneur Angela Tilahun; Nigerian media figure Chamberlain Chimeremeze Emmanuel; Dr. Osagie Emmanuel, President of Miss Diaspora Nigeria; South African brand strategist Lebo Lion; and Ghana’s Dr. Peter Kuntu Blankson, an economic strategist and policy advocate.

Amb. Temisan O. Louis, CEO of Mayorkings Agency Group also praised the honorees as role models for young Africans. “These awardees represent the new wave of leadership that is reshaping the continent’s story. Beyond their business achievements, they are examples of what determination, innovation, and a sense of responsibility can produce,” He stated.

Since its inception, the Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards has steadily built a reputation as a credible platform for spotlighting emerging talent in technology, finance, real estate, energy, logistics, and media. With the conclusion of the 2023 edition, the organizers reaffirmed their commitment to celebrating young leaders whose vision and enterprises continue to inspire across Africa.