Across Africa, a new generation of career women is rising through the ranks of business, technology, government, and global development. They are leading major initiatives, influencing policy, building global brands, and designing solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
But too often, outstanding careers take decades before the world pays attention.
Too often, young career women do remarkable work quietly. They deliver results, move industries forward, and build influence long before recognition arrives.
NextGen 26 was created to change that.
Created by 9to5Chick, NextGen is an annual list spotlighting 26 outstanding career women in Africa under the age of 35 who are already building meaningful impact across the continent and globally. The initiative reflects a clear belief: recognition should not arrive only after decades of work. It should also amplify the women who are shaping the future of leadership today.
The honorees represent a broad cross-section of Africa’s professional scene, spanning technology, finance, public policy, marketing, sustainability, energy, and social impact. Their career paths differ, but their work shares a common thread: substance, influence, and momentum.
The Selection Process
While nominations are open to the public, the NextGen list is built around an intentional evaluation process that looks beyond job titles or popularity.
Honorees were selected based on six key criteria: career impact, digital leadership, professional growth trajectory, innovation, values and integrity, and community contribution. The goal is to highlight women whose work demonstrates not just present impact but long-term leadership potential as well.
In many cases, these are professionals already influencing decisions inside global corporations, international organisations, government institutions, and high-growth companies.
In others, they are building platforms and initiatives that expand opportunity for others.
Together, they represent a generation of African women redefining what early-career excellence looks like.
Meet The NextGen 26 Honorees
– Abi David-Olusa
Investment Associate, Partners Group
Abi David-Olusa is an investment professional on the Private Infrastructure team at Partners Group, a global asset manager managing approximately USD 180 billion in assets. Her work focuses on major infrastructure investments spanning energy transition, utilities, logistics, digital infrastructure, and decarbonisation.
– Chinenye Adeleye
Learning and Development Manager, Jobberman Nigeria
Chinenye Adeleye is a social entrepreneur, project manager, and founder of Volunteers Hub Africa, an organisation that connects volunteers with nonprofits to support project delivery. Her work has received multiple recognitions for its community-driven impact model.
– Christianah Robinson
Sustainability Manager for West and Central Africa, Diageo
Christianah Robinson leads the delivery of Diageo’s Society 2030 sustainability agenda across West and Central Africa. Her work sits at the intersection of corporate responsibility, ESG strategy, and regional development.
– Favour Amarah
Digital Marketing Communications, UBA Group
Favour Amarah is a media and communications professional with expertise in digital storytelling and strategic content. Earlier in her career at AIICO Insurance, she ranked among the top five insurance marketers in the Lagos Mainland region and closed deals exceeding ₦100 million.
– Emma Theofelus
Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia
Emma Theofelus is Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology and a Member of Parliament. She is also a 2025 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and serves on the leadership council of Africa REACH and the ITU Digital Innovation Board.
– Eniitan Tejuoso
Chairman, Committee on Diplomacy, Migration, and International Cooperation, FCT-Abuja Youth Parliament
Eniitan Tejuoso works at the intersection of policy, capital, and industry. As a Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, she structures partnerships that translate national policy priorities into tangible economic and healthcare outcomes.
– Eniola Orireyemi
Senior Marketing Manager, Native Teams
Eniola Orireyemi works with a global organisation operating across more than 85 countries, where she is the only African and female member of her sub-team. Her marketing experience includes managing influencer campaigns and brand partnerships for companies such as MTN, Huawei, LG, and Google.
– Fanelesibonge Mbuyazi
Software Engineer, Sanlam
Fanelesibonge Mbuyazi is a software engineer whose work focuses on building technology solutions that drive both commercial and social value. She is also a Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders (2025–2026).
– Happiness Emordi
Programs Associate, EGO Foundation
Happiness Emordi leads programmes that advance youth empowerment, gender equality, and education in underserved communities. Her work contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
– Ilamosi Ekenimoh
Manager, Global Regulatory and Public Policy Programs, Flutterwave
Ilamosi Ekenimoh is a technology policy and regulatory expert whose career spans digital governance, data protection, and AI policy across Africa and global markets. Her work has contributed to regulatory strategy and ESG frameworks within the fintech ecosystem.
– Juliet Kekporo
Group Head, HR and Corporate Services, Human Investment Group Africa
Juliet Kekporo leads enterprise-wide people strategy, helping organisations build inclusive cultures while positioning human resources as a strategic driver of business growth.
– Lois Nweke
Corporate Affairs Specialist, Nestlé
Lois Nweke’s career spans corporate communications, brand management, social media strategy, and experiential marketing. She currently works at the intersection of reputation management and strategic communication.
– Mary Okarethe
Product Marketing and Communications Manager, Sabi
Mary Okarethe has more than eight years of experience across growth and product marketing. Her work focuses on user-centred product positioning and revenue growth within both B2B and consumer technology markets.
– Maureen Gikonyo
Global Youth Systems Engagement Lead
Maureen Gikonyo works with citiesRISE to strengthen global youth mental health systems. Her work connects youth leaders, policymakers, and experts to advance mental wellbeing initiatives worldwide.
– Miracle Ezechi
Marketing Manager, Hydrogen
Miracle Ezechi is a marketing strategist whose campaigns have driven measurable growth for businesses. Her work includes leading major rebranding initiatives and digital strategies that have significantly improved brand visibility and engagement.
– Morayo Odunsi
Junior Marketing Executive, Dentsu Nigeria
Morayo Odunsi has built experience across global agencies, startups, and social impact organisations. At Dentsu, she works on campaign execution, influencer marketing, and brand activations across major FMCG accounts in West Africa.
– Okpor Victoria
Head, Account Management, Pulse Nigeria
Victoria Okpor leads brand partnerships and client experience at Pulse Nigeria, managing campaigns across sectors including finance, FMCG, real estate, and lifestyle.
– Ogechukwuabiago Ezeobiorah
Chief Operations Officer, Elevate Africa and Royal Iwere Foundation
Ogechukwuabiago Ezeobiorah serves as COO to institutions of the Warri Kingdom Monarchy led by Their Royal Majesties the 21st Olu of Warri and Olori Atuwatse III. Her work focuses on experiential community development and gender-responsive human capital programmes.
– Oluwateniolami Oyewole
Celebrity and Creators Operations Specialist, TikTok
Oluwateniolami Oyewole works within the creator and entertainment ecosystem, contributing to the global amplification of Nigerian music and supporting the discovery of emerging talent on TikTok.
– Oyindamola Sofoluwe
Channel Associate, Havenhill Synergy Limited
Oyindamola Sofoluwe works in Nigeria’s clean energy sector, supporting commercial and industrial solar projects and helping organisations transition to sustainable energy solutions.
– Patience Masua
Deputy Director, Office of the Prime Minister, Namibia
Patience Masua is a governance and policy specialist who currently serves in the Prime Minister’s Bureau supporting national policy coordination and high-level advisory functions. She previously served as a Member of Parliament.
– Petronella Kabwe Chilwesa
Group Financial Controller, Emerging Cooking Solutions Zambia Limited
Petronella Kabwe Chilwesa is a finance executive with experience across energy, financial services, insurance, and professional services. Her work focuses on enterprise financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and board-level governance.
– Racheal Kuranchie
Software Engineer, IC Africa
Racheal Kuranchie is a backend engineer and systems architect specialising in secure, high-concurrency systems. Her work has delivered significant improvements in system performance and infrastructure efficiency for high-traffic digital platforms.
– Rafiat Atanda
Communications Specialist, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Nigeria
Rafiat Atanda works across development communication, crisis management, and media engagement, supporting initiatives focused on justice, security, and community resilience.
– Victoria Ndu
Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Airtel Nigeria
Victoria Ndu leads corporate social responsibility programmes designed to create long-term community impact. She is also a published author and advocate for scalable social impact initiatives.
– Temilade Salami
Consultant, Youth Leaders Support, Global Partnership for Education
Temilade Salami is a climate education and youth leadership advocate with eight years of experience advancing youth-led climate action across Africa. She is the founder of EcoChampions, a platform connecting young people to climate opportunities and resources.
Why NextGen Matters
Recognition often comes in the later stages of many careers. Years of excellent work pass before the spotlight arrives.
NextGen is designed to reduce the gap in that pattern.
More than a list, this is a signal. A signal that African women are leading, innovating, and influencing industries earlier than ever. A signal that their work deserves attention now, not later.
And if this first edition is anything to go by, the future of African leadership sure looks promising.
