The maiden edition of the Forty Under 40 Africa has announced its winners on Saturday, March 26th, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra -Ghana.

The event organised by Xodus Communications in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Ghana and the Ministry of Arts and Culture saw dignitaries from about 16 African countries with about 65 nominees which seek to identify, honour, and celebrate a cross-section of the continent’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of forty from a wide range of industries which includes people committed to business growth, professional excellence and community services.

The winners for this year’s event came from countries such as; South Africa , Niger, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Togo, Namibia, Cameron, South Sudan, Swaziland and Morocco.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mark Okraku Mantey said, he is very grateful to see young entrepreneurs across the continent making the difference in their own fields coming together to make the occasion a wonderful one.

According to him, it is time for Africa youth to unit and build the continent together no matter our differences as people.

“I want to also take the opportunity to congratulate all nominees here and thank you all for the good works you've been doing for your various countries.

“As youth of the continent, is time for us to take the mantle and build our own continent through tourism and other entrepreneurial venture. We need to change the narrative now", he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Xodus Communications, Richard Abbey Junior stated that he is so much impressed by the number of personalities who have traveled across the continent to grace the occasion.

Also, he is very impressed with the good work done by the board and the able jury lead by, Krist Senanu who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success.

"As organizers our objectives is to recognize and celebrate emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate or impact personally or professionally through their exceptional leadership; identity projects and individual achievements ", he said.

Here are the winners list under various categories.

Folabi Edward Obembe - Worldview UK Limited, Nigeria Honorary (Digital Education)

Maryben Omollo - Greeneseal Cleaners & Pest Controllers, Kenya Honorary (Women Empowerment)

Orry Diana Musiburu Seem - Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Togo Honorary (Girl Child Education)

Reginald Pillay - Ariston Global (Pty) Ltd, South Africa Honorary (Business Support Services)

Efe Ukala - Impacther Foundation Ltd/Gte, Nigeria Honorary (Social Support)

Dr Eurika Mogane - Tharika M Health, South Africa Honorary (Entrepreneurship)

Mohamed L Yahffa – Zulumandingo Company Special Recognition (Logistics & Supply)

Oumar Traore Fati - 227nigerwedding, Niger Event Management

Mohamed Ezzeldin -Lemon Spaces, Egypt Hospitality

Rose Chepchirchir Ronoh - Tradesmart Consult Ltd, Kenya Consultancy

Issoufou Adamou Iddrissa - Cabinet Iai, Niger. Professional Services (Male Category) Divide

Langelihle Ndlovu - Afrodroid Media, Zimbabwe (Single Nominee) Media

Chinenye Ebele Onuorah - Regalo Hope Foundation, Nigeria, Education

Janet Tayo Faremi - Ambassador Stores, Nigeria. Sales & Marketing

Mondli Kunene - Mondli Art Projects, South Africa, Theater And Arts (Male Category) Divide

Rosebird Ama Dadzie - Roben Arts, Ghana, Theater And Arts (Female Category) Divide

Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika -Zipporah Consultancy, Zimbabwe Professional Services (Female Category) Divide

Bernard Kofi Bonarparte - Bonabear Foundation Ghana, Ghana, Social Enterprise

Santiago Roberts - Miss Tourism Nigeria, Nigeria, Beauty and Lifestyle

Edirin Edewor - Online Publishers And Entrpreneurs Network (Open), Nigeria, Authorship And Creative Writing

Toseef Din - Mpshah Hospital, Kenya Health And Wellness

Emmanuel Ezima - A-Z Couture, Nigeria, Fashion

Ayokunle Olushola Ayoko – Kaizen Academy Limited, Nigeria, Law (Single Nominee)

Bobi Wine (Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu)- People Power, Uganda, Governance And Government Agencies

Nakedi Pule Malahlela – Turfloop Football Club Limpopo, South Africa, Sports

Antony Ngure Gacheru - Environment Two Five Four Group, Kenya, Printing & Publishing

Ruth Mueni Mukhwana - M2m Promotion & Events, Kenya, Communications & Advertising

Pelumi Aribisala - Cato Foods, Nigeria, Agriculture & Agro Processing

Maged Maurice Michel Khella - Viamo Inc, Egypt, Human Resource Development (Male Category) Divide

Angela Nthabiseng Senosha - Positive Switch Pty (Ltd), South Africa, Human Resource Development (Female Category) Divide

Nelson Amo – Innohub Limited, Ghana, Investments

Kwanele Boltina - Riley Auctioneers Ltd, South Africa, Finance

Shakemore Timburwa – Energyplus, Zimbabwe, Energy (Divide)

Dr. Kofi Amoa Abban – Rigworld, Ghana, Oil & Gas (Divide)

Christine Awuor Ogola - Youth For Sustainable Development, Nairobi, Community Development (Youth Empowerment) Divide

Masonwabe Fuma (Youth Empowerment And Development, Mentorship) - Sakhulutsha Eafrika, South Africa, Community Development (Mentorship) Divide

Amanda Ngcono Nkomo- Ngcono Mbowane Foundation, Zimbabwe, Philanthropy And Charity (Capacity Building) (Divide)

Tariro Chirewa- Yama Foundation, Zimbabwe (Academic Support), Philanthropy And Charity (Divide)

Matovu Ronald - Gagamel International, Uganda, Music & Entertainment (Male Category) Divide

Janatte Haddadi- Giraffe Three Sixty, Morroco, Music & Entertainment (Female Category) Divide

Ronald Tagoe – Mnotify/Chatbots Africa, Ghana, Science & Technology

Nelson Madiba Amo, People’s Choice Award

Shakemore Timburwa – Energyplus, Zimbabwe.