LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Burna Boy, winner of Best International Act, poses during the Post Show at the 2019 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
Forbes Africa has released its annual 30 Under 30 list.
The names were announced at the annual Forbes Africa Under 30 Meet-Up in association in Johannesburg.
This year’s list has over 120 names, up from 90 last year, across four categories – business, technology, creatives and sport.
BellaNaija alums Ijeoma Balogun and Richard Akuson were named in business and creatives categories respectively.
Burna Boy was also named in the creative category.
Footballers Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), Mohammed Salah (Egypt) and Pierre Aubameyang (Gabon) were also named, including South African track and field athlete Caster Semenya.
See the full list below:
BUSINESS:
Bruce Diale, 29, South Africa, Founder & Managing Director of Brucol Global DevelopmentTerence Mathe, 29, Zimbabwe, Co-Founder of Southern Incineration Services (SISCO) PBCMariam Manack , 29, South Africa, Founder & Director of iTrainKhanyisile Madonko-Nderezina, 25, Zimbabwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Sakhile Madonko EnterprisesIsaac Mbatha, 28, South Africa, Founder & CEO of Sky Tents SASadaam Suleiman, 28, Kenya, Co-Founder & Managing Director of DragonflyLimitedAdeniyi Omotayo, 28, Nigeria, Founder & CEO Betensured GroupDavid Kyalo, 29, Kenya, Founder & CEO Koncepts & Events LtdOgechukwu Anugo-Obah, 28, Nigeria, Founder & CEO of BodylikemilkDorn Ndlovu, 26, South Africa, Founder & CEO of Entrepreneur Blue Print AfricaBusisiwe Mkhumbuzi, 24, South Africa, Co-Founder & Chief Executive of TshimongSydney Sam, 26, Ghana, Founder & CEO of Workspace GlobalShirlene Nafula, 27, Kenya, Founder & CEO of Crystal River ProductsKgahlego Rasebotsa, 29, South Africa, Founder & Director of Interior BubbleKimani Adam, 29, Kenya, Co-Founder & CEO of Nature Expeditions Destination ManagementIjeoma Balogun, 29, Nigeria, Founder & Managing Director of Redrick PRBright Jaja, 29, Nigeria, Founder & CEO of iCreate AfricaJesse Carlton Happy Ndongo, 28, Cameroon, Founder of Easy GroupHenrich Akomolafe, 26, Nigeria, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Akotex Nigeria LimitedLesego Mokae, 24, South Africa, Co-Founder of Ditsogo ProjectsOginni Tolulope , 29, Nigeria, Founder & CEO of Transfurd LimitedTheo Baloyi, 29, South Africa, Founder & CEO of Bathu SwagAvthar Aniruth, 21, South Africa, Founder and Executive Producer of Audience NetworksBarbara Okereke, 28, Nigeria, Cake Designer, Founder & Managing Director of Oven Secret LimitedJessica Anuna, 27, Nigeria , Founder & CEO of KlashaCharles Edosomwan, 29, Nigeria, Founder & Chief Strategist of TekSight Edge LimitedCharmaine Mbatha, 29, South Africa, Co-Founder Millennial Business AdministratorsShaney Vijendranath, 29, South Africa, Co-Founder & CEO of Vimage MediaAdetola Nola, 29, Nigeria, Founder & CEO Veritasi Properties LimitedCaleb Stephen David, 27, South Africa, Founder & CEO of Versatile Commodity Traders
SPORTS:
Clarence Munyai, 21, South Africa, Track & Field AthletePatricia Apolot, 28, Uganda, KickboxerJean Sseninde, 26, Uganda, Footballer & CEOLuvo Manyonga, 28, South Africa, Track & Field AthleteMohamed Salah, 26, Egypt, FootballerSadio Mane, 27, Senegal, FootballerWayde Van Nierkerk, 26, South Africa, Track & Field AthleteChad Le Clos, 27, South Africa, SwimmerFrancine Niyonsaba, 26, Burundi, Track & Field AthleteMargaret Nyaireira Wambui, 23, Kenya, Track & Field AthleteAkani Simbine, 26, South Africa, Track & Field AthleteGenzebe Dibaba, 28, Ethiopia, Track & Field AthletePierre Aubameyang, 29, Gabon, FootballerThembi Kgatlana, 23, South Africa, FootballerSiya Kolisi, 27, South Africa, FootballerSabrina Simader, 21, Kenya, Alpine SkierQuinton De Kock, 26, South Africa, CricketerAlex Iwobi, 23, Nigeria, FootballerAphiwe Dyantyi, 24, South Africa, Rugby PlayerPercy Tau, 25, South Africa, FootballerRuhan Van Rooyen, 25, South Africa, Paralympic AthleteEmmanuel Korir, 24, Kenya, Track & Field AthleteBeatrice Chepkoech, 24, Kenya, Track & Field AthleteGiana Lofty, 24, Egypt, Martial Arts PractionerCaster Semenya, 24, South Africa, Track & FieldKagiso Rabada, 24, South Africa, CricketerSarah Ahmed, 21, Egypt, WeightlifterJacob Kiplimo, 18, Uganda, Track & Field AthleteFaith Kipyegon, 25, Kenya, Track & Field AthleteGerson Domingos, 23, Angola, Basketballer
CREATIVES:
Karabo Poppy Moletsane, 27, South Africa, Creative Illustrator, Street Artist & Graphic DesignerRophnan Nuri, 29, Ethiopia, Electronic Dance Music ArtistHenry Amponsah, 28, Ghana, Designer, Founder & CEO of 101 ClothingAustin Malema, 28, South Africa, Photographer & CEO of PixelkollectiveHarmony Katulondi, 29, Democratic Republic of Congo, Presenter, Model, Actor and Voice Over ArtistKapasa Musonda, 29, Zambia, Fashion DesignerRichard Akuson, 26, Nigeria, Founder & Editor of A Nasty BoyMenzi Mcunu, 22, South Africa, Founder of the Afrocentric GentlemvnTrevor Stuurman, 26, South Africa, Photographer and Creative DirectorBurna boy, 28, Nigeria, MusicianKim Jayde, 28, Zimbabwe, TV Presenter, Model & MCPetite Noir, 28, Democratic Republic of Congo, Singer, Songwriter & ProducerAisha Baker, 29, South Africa, Business Woman, Influencer and Style IconKarun, 24, Kenya, MusicianGilmore Moyo, 27, Zimbabwe, Creative Director, Content Creator, Fashion Facilitator, TV & Radio Host and Founder of Paper Bag AfricaBoitumelo ‘Boity’ Thulo, 29, South Africa, TV Host, Entrepreneur & MusicianHermann Kamte, 27, Cameroon, Architect, Founder & CEO of Hermann Kamte & AssociatesHelen Chukwu, 25, Nigeria, Fashion Designer, Founder & CEO of Helen CoutureLuis Munana, 27, Namibia, Creative Director, Model, TV Host & Founder of Voigush Africa and Waka Waka MooUpile Chisala, 24, Malawi, Author & PoetJoseph Awuah-Darko, 22, Ghana, Contemporary ArtistJoe ‘Human’ Nawaya, 25, Democratic Republic of Congo, Graphic Designer & Co-Founder of Creative Mind SpaceThando Thabethe, 29, South Africa, Actress & Radio DJRich Mnisi, 27, South Africa, Fashion DesignerKevin Njue, 27, Kenya, Producer, Director, Writer & CEO of Rocque PicturesSho Madjozi, 27, South Africa, MusicianSarah Owusu, 28, Ghana, Artist & PainterAbisola Akintunde, 28, Nigeria, Founder & Creative Director of MakeupbyAshabee and BeelashesYaa Bonsu, 28, Kenya, Fashion Stylist & CreativePaola Audrey Ndengue, 29, Côte d’Ivoire, Host, Producer & Co-Founder of Fashizblack
TECHNOLOGY:
Nthabiseng Mosia, 28, South Africa, Co-Founder & CMO of Easy SolarEvans Akanno, 29, Nigeria, Founder & CEO of CregitalMicheal Paul Mollel, 29, Tanzania, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Jimz Technologies Co. LtdNureshka Viranna, 27, South Africa, Co-Founder & Director of ShopliJacob Rugano, 29, Kenya, Co-Founder & Director of AfricarTrack InternationalFred Oyetayo, 25, Nigeria, Founder & CEO of FresibleAlpha Nury, 29, Senegal, Founder & CEO of Jamaa FundingHansley Noruthun, 27, Mauritius, Founder of Mauritius Space & Science FoundationSchizzo Thompson, 29, Malawi, Founder & Managing Director of Sky EnergyWilford Mwanza, 29, Zimbabwe, Founder & CEO of FordolutionsVèna Arielle Ahouansou, 25, Benin, Co-Founder & CEO of KEA MedicalsDamilola Olokesusi, 29, Nigeria, Co-Founder & CEO of Shuttlers Logistics CompanyDiana Esther Wangari,, 27, Kenya, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of SagitarixChinedu Azodoh, 29, Nigeria, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Metro Africa Xpress (MAX)Shaun Benjamin, 29, Zimbabwe, Co-Founder of Simba SolutionsMatthew Piper, 25 and Karidas Tshintsholo, 24, South Africa, Founders of Khula AppCourtney Bentley, 29, South Africa, Co-Founder & CEO of Visibility InsightJosh Okpata, 27, Tochukwu Mbanugo, 29, Nigeria, Founders of EazyhireMuhammed Salisu Abdullahi, 28, Nigeria, Co-Founder & Managing Director of eTrash2CashSilas Adekunle, 26, Nigeria, Founder of Reach RoboticsJoshua Chibueze, 26, Somto Ifezue, 28 and Odunayo Eweniyi, 26, Nigeria, Founders of PiggyVestUka Eje, 29, Nigeria, Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive AgricMelissa Mwale, 29, Zimbabwe, Founder of Hive Incorporation & Co-Founder of CryptoGemEric Muli, 27, Kenya, Founder & CEO of Odyssey CapitalEric Rutayisire, 28, Rwanda, Founder & CEO of Charis UASKhalid Machchate, 26, Wissal Farsal, 27, Morocco, Founders of K&W TechnologiesSiyabonga Thomas Tiwana, 29 & Tyrone Adams, 28, South Africa, Founders of Skywalk InnovationsChika Madubuko, 27, Nigeria, Co-Founder & CEO of Greymate CareDorcas Owinoh, 28, Kenya, Co-Founder & Director of LakeHubMarnus van Heerden, 29, Matthew Smith 26, Ndabenhle Ngulube, 28, South Africa, Founders of Pineapple App
Photo Credit: Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET