Here’s How African Leaders are Creating a More Inclusive and Sustainable World

• The World Economic Forum today unveils the world’s most promising 109 Young Global Leaders under the age of 40, involved in activities from advocating for the rights of refugees to the advancement of innovation to combat COVID-19
• Among the 42 countries represented, 12 leaders hail from Africa and their work brings the promise of a brighter outlook at a difficult time
• They join the Forum of Young Global Leaders, whose members have gone on to become Nobel Prize recipients, heads of state, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and Grammy Award winners
• Discover the new Young Global Leader (YGL) class on www.wef.ch/ygl22

Geneva, Switzerland, 20 April 2022 – 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 2022.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was founded in 2005 by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, to help shape future leaders who are equipped to both take responsibility for creating a more sustainable and inclusive world, and to address its increasingly complex and interrelated challenges. Today, there are over 1,400 members and alumni from more than 120 countries. Notable members include entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, politician Lindiwe Mazibuko, Minister Paula Ingabire, activist Victor Ochen, and ocean advocate Lewis Pugh.

YGLs are active in today’s most exciting and dynamic fields and focus on impact. In the past year, YGLs have made bold commitments to restore 21 million hectares of deforested and degraded land in India, have come together to establish the first corporate movement for clean air to create healthy communities around the world, and have even launched a $1 billion gender fund to advance global equity and women’s leadership.

The class of 2022 is gender-equal and has representatives from 42 countries. Members will take part in a three-year leadership development programme that will help them reach their next level of impact. The programme offers executive education courses, expeditions and opportunities to collaborate and test ideas with 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 leaders celebrated today have demonstrated exceptional ingenuity and vision across their fields. While they represent diverse sectors, regions and issue areas, they are united in their commitment to lead towards a more inclusive and sustainable world,” said Mariah Levin, Head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

“The World Economic Forum is delighted to welcome this year’s class of Young Global Leaders. Their commitment to improving the state of the world is crucial at a time where collaboration is needed more than ever,” said Nicole Schwab, Board Member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

Academia/Think-tank

• James Kwame Mensah, Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana, Ghana

Arts, Culture & Sports

• Sumayya Vally, Founder and Principal, Counterspace, South Africa

Business

• Dominic Wadongo, Group Head of Operational Risk, Equity Group Holdings Plc, Kenya
• Esha Mansingh, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, Imperial Logistics Limited, South Africa
• Eva Otieno, Principal, Africa Strategy, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd, Kenya
• Lesley Ndlovu, Chief Executive Officer, African Risk Capacity “ARC” Ltd, South Africa
• Mmaki Jantjies, Head of Innovation, Telkom SA SOC Limited, South Africa
• Zuriel Naiker, Managing Director, Sales and Distribution, Africa, Marsh & McLennan Companies, South Africa

Civil Society

• Françoise Moudouthe, Chief Executive Officer, African Women’s Development Fund, Ghana
• Ilwad Elman, Chief Operating Officer, Elman Peace HRC, Somalia

Public Figure

• James Mnyupe, Presidential Economic Adviser; Green Hydrogen Commissioner, Office of the President of Namibia, Namibia

Social Entrepreneur

• Nasreen Ali Mohamed, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cherehani Africa, Kenya

© World Economic Forum