Calling all visionaries, risk-takers and young change-makers; FORBES AFRICA is all set to for the 2025 intake!



For drawing up the continent’s most sought-after list of young leaders, we are on the quest for 30 of Africa’s brightest people under the age of 30 in the Business, Technology, Creatives, Sport and Science/Health categories.



Every year, the magazine’s 30 Under 30 listers prove that they are not just about commerce and clout but also about representing their countries and the diverse, heterogeneous continent they want to serve. The class of 2025 should be no different.



From Tyla to Davido, Vimbai Masiyiwa to Alex Mativo, Tatjana Smith to Faith Kipyegon, they have earned their place on the list. If you make the 11th instalment of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, you will join more past honorees such as Elsa Majimbo, Mr. Eazi, Lasizwe, Musa Keys, Lloyd Harris, Sho Madjozi, Bruce Diale, Antonio Depina, Karabo Poppy, Thuso Mbedu, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, Nomzamo Mbatha, Kabza De Small, Burna Boy, Nthabiseng Mosia, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Sikander Kalla, Nasty C, Chad le Clos, and WizKid.



Our nomination process is rigorous, and those who progress to subsequent rounds will need to provide a police clearance certificate (PCC) or report from your country verifying you have no criminal record, no ongoing disputes or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of the country.



As an extra layer of verification, the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 team of curators and editorial research teams will also need a recommendation/reference letter from your financial institution (such as your bank) ensuring you are a legitimate business/brand deploying your funds responsibly. We recommend you contact your financial institution or advisor to prepare for this part of the process.



“For the 11th year, we will sift through the nominations flooding our inboxes to discern the boldest innovators and leaders under the age of 30 in Africa today. They will need to prove what they are doing differently to make the cut as tomorrow’s titans and tycoons pushing the needle of development,” says Renuka Methil, Editor of FORBES AFRICA.



CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS: 



Please read the following carefully before applying. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 20 February 2025 17:00 (SAST)



Business and Technology categories&nbsp;



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2025 </li>



<li>Should have a legitimate REGISTERED business on the continent </li>



<li>Business/businesses should be two years or older (please ensure you have your audited financial documents for at least two years as well as your company’s registration documents; should you make the second stage, this will be required) </li>



<li>The more innovative the business the better (as it contributes to Africa’s growth story!) </li>



<li>Have you/your company created social impact on the African continent? </li>



<li>The company must be profit-generating </li>



<li>Must employ people in Africa </li>



<li>All applications must be in English </li>
</ol>



Sports category



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2025</li>



<li>Must be representing an African team</li>



<li>Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years</li>



<li>Should have significant earnings</li>



<li>Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus</li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if you are a sportsperson applying under the Business/Technology categories. However, the business must abide by the same rules as under Business/Technology.</li>



<li>All applications must be in English</li>
</ol>



Creatives category&nbsp;



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2025 </li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa </li>



<li>Should be making significant earnings </li>



<li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years </li>



<li>Awards of any kind would be a bonus  </li>



<li>Social media presence will be taken into consideration. </li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if you are a creative applying under the Business/Technology categories. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older. </li>



<li>All applications must be in English </li>
</ol>



Health/Science categories&nbsp;



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2025 </li>



<li>Must be from or based in Africa </li>



<li>Should have a proven track record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years</li>



<li>Must have social influence and impact </li>



<li>If the nominee is a doctor/professor, please provide us with documentation and a reference letter from the institution where the applicant received a doctorate or Ph.D   </li>



<li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology categories. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older. </li>



<li>All applications must be in English</li>
</ol>



<a href="https://forbesafrica.typeform.com/Under302025">>>>>>>>>>Click here to apply&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;</a>

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The 11th Annual List – Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2025

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Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List

&nbsp;The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting: Nicole Pillay With inputs from: Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi | Photography: Katlego Mokubyane | Photography Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



TEN YEARS, of uncovering some of the most influential and iconic young people on the continent. Ten years, of shining the spotlight on business innovators and tech trailblazers impacting their communities, countries and the continent.



Ten years, of profiling record-breakers, history-makers and risk-takers determined to rewrite the narrative on Africa. The 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 list is testament to the unmistakable potential and talent pool that exists on a continent boasting the world’s youngest population, and their role in together crafting Africa’s growth story.



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Building a business and a brand, and consistently creating change on the continent, as a 20-something, is no mean feat. And it’s perhaps their path-breaking innovations and against-all-odds resilience that’s leading the rest of the world to Africa as the next frontier. The world is becoming more African. The whole continent of Africa, with 54 countries, is home to 1.45 billion people, and the economies are being driven by a growing young population.



The United Nations states in a report that 70% of sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 30; and that more than a third of the world’s young people will live in Africa by 2050.Experts also stipulate that the future of Africa’s wealth is young and female, and they hold the greatest potential for investment prospects. 



The 2023 Africa Wealth Report, published by Henley &amp; Partners in partnership with New World Wealth, reports that the total investable wealth currently held on the African continent amounts to $2.4 trillion, and its millionaire population is expected to rise by 42% over the next 10 years. Whatever the numbers, over the last decade, we have recorded this and more of Africa’s appetite and tireless tenacity for growth and prosperity, with the youth spearheading that narrative, never veering away from the heartwarming concept of ubuntu (compassion and humanity) bringing the continent and its communities together. We can’t wait to see what the next decade will unfold.



Editor’s note: The list follows no particular order



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-methodology">METHODOLOGY </h2>



The nomination process began late 2023, as over a thousand applications came through. Part of the rigorous reporting and vetting process also involved going through social media profiles, police clearance reports, reference letters from financial institutions and testimonials from the colleagues, collaborators, business partners and employees of short-listed nominees. Background checks were conducted on potential candidates, which included reviewing documentation to ensure there are no criminal records, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies, and/or allegations of crime, misconduct, sexual harassment/abuse or fraud. For the 2024 list, FORBES AFRICA, for the fifth year running, partnered with audit fi rm SNG Grant Thornton to assess company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation. In addition to the research and reporting of the editorial team, FORBES AFRICA also depended on a panel of high-profile judges and independent subject-matter experts to ensure that only Africa’s most merit-worthy make it to the final list. Instead of having only one adjudicator per category (Business, Technology, Health/Science, Creatives and Sports), we also sought the help of past list-makers – our illustrious 30 Under 30 alumni – to judge potential finalists. This list is only but a small indication of the wealth of young talent that exists on the continent and they will no doubt be unraveled on these pages in the months and years to come.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Alex Mativo, 29, Kenya CEO and Co-founder, E-LAB, Nanasi and Duck Industry: Multiple ventures</li>



<li>Ann-Kathrin Joos, 28, South Africa CEO and Founder, Standard Beauty Industry: Beauty</li>



<li>Vimbai Masiyiwa, 29, Zimbabwe CEO, Batoka Hospitality Industry: Tourism</li>



<li>Andrew Ddembe, 28, Uganda Co-founder and CEO, MobiKlinic Industry: Healthtech</li>



<li>Chad Jones, 28, South Africa Social Media Content Creator and Brand Influencer Industry: Social media</li>



<li>Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML), 28, Nigeria Singer-songwriter Industry: Entertainment&nbsp;</li>



<li>Tyla Laura Seethal, 22, South Africa Singer-Songwriter Industry: Entertainment</li>



<li>Ayushi Chandaria, 26, Kenya Founder, Design Thinking Program (Kenya) Industry: Education</li>



<li>Ama Qamata, 25, South Africa Actress, Producer Industry: Entertainment</li>



<li>Daniel Novitzkas, 28, South Africa Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Specno Industry: Software Development and Technology Solutions</li>



<li>Prisca Wegesa Magori, 29, Tanzania CEO and Co-founder, TenTen Explore and Smart EFD Industry: Software Development</li>



<li>Luke Mostert, 27, South Africa Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, CatalyzU Industry: EdTech &amp; JobTech</li>



<li>Arooj Sheikh, 28, Kenya Founder and CEO, Beyond Kenyan Bars Sector: Social development</li>



<li>Kenneth M. Njeru, 25, Kenya Director and Founder, Africa Afya Healthcare Industry: Health Investment Services</li>



<li>Cayley Jorgensen, 29, South Africa CEO and Founder, Ingage Support; Registered Counselor Sector: Mental health</li>



<li>Hildah Magaia, 29, South Africa Forward for Mazatlán F.C Femenil and Banyana Banyana Industry: Sport – Football</li>



<li>Victor Osimhen, 25, Nigeria Footballer and Striker for Super Eagles Industry: Sport – Football</li>



<li>Tobi Amusan, 26, Nigeria Track and Field Athlete Industry: Sport – Athletics</li>



<li>Damian Willemse, 25, South Africa Stormers and Springboks rugby player Industry: Sport – Rugby</li>



<li>Ricardo Lognath, 29, South Africa Co-Founder and CEO, Omninela Medical</li>



<li>Nicolas Lognath, 27, South Africa Co-Founder and Director, Omninela Medical Industry: Healthcare/E-commerce</li>



<li>Ruth Erikan James, 29, Nigeria Founder, Veekee James Industry: Fashion</li>



<li>Shaun Maswanganyi, 23, South Africa Track and Field Athlete Industry: Sport – Athletics</li>



<li>Jeremiah Thoronka, 24, Sierra Leone Founder and CEO, Optim Energy Sector: Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact)</li>



<li>Calvin Usiri, 28, Tanzania Co-founder and CTO, Ramani Industry: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)</li>



<li>Peace Wutawunashe, 27, Zimbabwe Founder, Trigershot Engineering Industry: Solar/Renewable Energy</li>



<li>Esethu Cenga, 29, South Africa Co-founder and CEO, Rewoven Industry: Fashion</li>



<li>Josiah Akinloye, 29, Nigeria Founder and CEO, Mainlogix Technology Industry: Automation and Technology</li>



<li>Abioye Oyetunji, 29, Ghana Founder and CEO, FXKudi Industry: Fintech</li>



<li>Nadine Roos, 27, South Africa South African Rugby Union (Springboks) and Sevens player Industry: Sport &#8211; Rugby</li>
</ol>



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<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Registration is still open for the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Botswana! Join us on May 5 &#8211; 8 as we bring together the most successful young entrepreneurs from around the globe. The experience promises to be unbeatable.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2024-forbes-under-30-summit-africa?promo=NLFORBESAFRICA"> Secure your spot at the best rate toda</a>y.</li>
</ul>

Tag: Class of 2024

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

The 11th Annual List – Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2025

Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List

MEET THE CLASS OF 2024: Passion, Purpose And A Decade Of The 30 Under 30 List