The Humanitarian Awards Global is proud to unveil the esteemed list of 100 Most Impactful Change Makers in Africa for 2023, representing diverse sectors of change makers impacting lives.
Our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of Global change makers who are dedicated to transforming lives and challenging the status quo. In pursuit of this objective, the Humanitarian Awards Global has released its annual publication, highlighting, and celebrating the outstanding achievements of these extraordinary individuals in Africa.
The Humanitarian Awards Global is steadfast in its commitment to redefining the narrative surrounding change makers through award ceremonies, educational initiatives, summits, and ranking publications.
The rigorous selection process for these distinguished individuals comprises nominations, extensive background checks on their impact activities, and evaluations by our board to determine the top 100 honourees for the year under review. Key criteria used in the evaluation process include leadership drive, influence, consistency, and, most importantly, community and social impact. Each year, the list is refreshed, with previously recognized change makers maintaining their position if their contributions continue to meet our stringent criteria, while new names of exceptional change makers are also introduced.
This publication provides these agents of change with a significant platform to be inspired and to continue pursuing their passion for transforming lives and making a positive impact in their respective communities.
We present to you the esteemed list of Humanitarian Awards Global’s 100 Most Impactful Change Makers: Africa 2023, organized in alphabetical order
| Adigun Temitayo J:Nigeria: Li nnkedIn Top Voice, People Engagement I NGO Executive | Founder |
| Akesse -Sarquah Ebenezer: Ghana: Monitoring And Evaluation Assistance at Youth Employment Agency |
| Alma Okpalefe: Nigeria: xecutive Director · World Space Week Association |
| AMADU ZULKARNAIN MOHAMMED: Ghana: Founder of Achievers Ghana |
| Amina J. Mohammed: Nigeria: Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations |
| Amira Yahyaoui :Tunisia:Activist and founder of Al Bawsala |
| Amsatou Sow Sidibe:Senegal:Women’s rights and democracy advocate |
| Angeline Makore:Zimbabwe:Women’s and girls rights activis |
| Angelique Kidjo:Benin: Grammy-winning singer and activist |
| Aya Chebbi:Tunisia:Nola Feminist Collection |
| Basuti Gerty Bolo:Botswana:Founder- GoTo Space |
| Betty Adera:Kenya:Founder and President Betty Adera Foundation |
| BigGodwin Martey:Ghana:Certified Scrum Master | Agile Coach | Software Engineer | Entrepreneur. Websoft Solutions |
| Cubana Chief Priest: Nigeria: Celebrity barman, show promoter, and businessman. |
| Damilola Ogunbiyi: Nigeria: Co-Chair, UN-Energy |
| Danai Nhando: South Africa: Change .org South Africa Country Director |
| Darko- Mensah Isaac: Ghana: Nonprofits Technology & Science Tech Influencers Humanitarian |
| Djemillah Mourade-Peerbux: Mauritius: Fellowship Alumna and news editor for the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation |
| Dr Samukeliso Dube:South Africa:Transformative leader| Healthcare Executive| FP2030 Executive Director |
| Dr. Ewere Ofiri:Nigeria: Founder, Divine Mercy Orphanage Dental Outreach |
| Dr Kofi Osei Kusi |
| Dr Mwere Malecela |
| Dr. Viola Vaughn: Senegal: Founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Health Education and Prevention Strategies Alliance (WHEPSA |
| Edna Adan Ismail:Somalil: Healthcare advocate and first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland |
| Elizabeth Wathuti:Kenya:Founder, Green Generation Initiative |
| Ellen Johnson Sirleaf:Liberia |
| Esther Mwende Mwendwa (Liana): |
| Ezinne Kufre Ekanem: |
| Faisal Kofi Osei:Ghana: President & Ceo. AdinkraConcepts, Change Maker |
| Farida Yahya: Mandela Washington fellow, an author, Start-up coach, and social entrepreneur |
| Fatima Mohammed Habib :Nigeria:Founder/Executive Director of Advocacy For Human Value Organization | Award winning Youngest Humanitarian in Nigeria |
| Funmilayo Ransome :Nigeria:Educator and political activist |
| Gcina Mhlophe :South Africa:Storyteller and children’s author |
| Gloria Larbi Adakurugu:Ghana:Vice-principal at Anyinam Applied Technology Institute Center of Excellence |
| Graça Machel :Mozambique:Humanitarian and former First Lady of Mozambique |
| Hafsat Abiola :Nigeria:Women’s rights and democracy advocate |
| Hanna Atiase :Ghana:CEO of E. Wells Realty & Consultancy and the co-founder of GAREB, the Ghana Association of Real Estate Brokers. |
| Hon. Hanna Tetteh:Ghana:UN Special Representative for the African Union |
| Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. :Ghana:MP for NORTH TONGU Constituency, Volta Region, Philantropist |
| Ibrahim Mahama : The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners and Dzata Cement |
| Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu:Nigeria:CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation |
| Irene Titilola Olumese: |
| Irene Zalira, Malawi:Feminist Leader who is passionate about improving the sexual and reproductive health of women |
| Janet Abobigu:Ghana:Founder of Uni-Jay Company Limited and Uni-Jay Amaleboba Foundation |
| JOY OKRAH:Ghana: Chief Executive Officer · Awo Fields |
| Julienne Lusenge:Democratic Republic of the Congo:Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development |
| Kuburah Diamonds:Ghana:SDGs| Teens, Adolescents & Women Empowerment | Charity | Entrepreneur |
| Leyla Hussein:Somalia:Activist against female genital mutilation |
| Leymah Gbowee:Liberia:Nobel laureate for peace activism |
| Lupita Nyong’o:Kenya:Kenyan actress, Activist |
| Mabingue Ngom:Senegal:Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of UNFPA and Director of UNFPA Representation Office, UNFPA Addis Ababa Representation Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Joy Okrah:Ghana:CEO of Awo Fields |
| Marie Da Silva :Malawi:Championing Children |
| Mark Gachagua, Kenya: |
| Martha Ama A. Pobee (H.E.):Ghana:Assist. Secretary-General for Africa, UN |
| Matshidiso Moeti (Dr):Botswana:Regional Director for Africa, WHO |
| Meshack Kinyua :Ethiopia:Space Training Officer |
| Monde Muyangwa (Dr.):Zambia:Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Africa |
| Mr Eliasu Yussif Baba:Ghana:Managing Director at BEA TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS COMPANY LTD, CEO of Bahass Foundation |
| Mr Isaac Adjaottor:Ghana:Founder of Farm for Livelihood Association in Ada-Foah |
| Mr Richard Kwei Mensah Okoe:Ghana:CEO of Community Development Challenge, Founder and President of National Beekeepers Association in Ghana |
| Muazu Alhaji Modu:Nigeria:Mandela Washington Fellow | AU Democracy and Governance Top 20 | 2022 Young Global Changers | Winner BudgIT Active Citizen Award. |
| Nafissatou Jocelyne Diop:Senegal:Chief of Gender and Human Rights, United Nations Population |
| Nana Kwame Bediako aka ‘Freedom Jacob Caesar:Ghana:New Africa Foundation |
| Ndip Ojong Emmanuel:Cameroon:Founder and CEO of Charity Against Hunger Organisation |
| Nelly Cheboi,Kenya. Founder of TechLit Africa |
| Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala :Nigeria:Director-General of the WTO |
| Njide Okonjo Udochi:Nigeria:CEO Summit Medical Group |
| Obi Cubana:Nigeria:Businessman, socialist, entertainer and philanthropist |
| Obuobia Darko-Opoku:Ghana:Ghanaian politician, journalist and philanthropist |
| Oby Ezekwesili:Nigeria:Founder and President of Human Capital Africa(HCA) |
| Osei Boateng:Ghana:Hope Health Van |
| Patrick Baah Abankwa:Ghana:A Chartered Banker and a Chartered Global Investment Analyst |
| Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,South Africa, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women |
| Portia Yayra Klu.Ghana.Politician | Entrepreneur | Youth Activist, Women advocate |
| Professor Oheneba Boachie-AdjeiGhana, orthopedic surgeon, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director of FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital |
| Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, First lady of Ghana and founder of Rebecca Foundation |
| Rev. Raymond Abban, Ghana, President/ Lead Pastor, Glory Center Int |
| Reverend Dr. Moses Asaah Awinyonga |
| Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (Rt. Hon):Namibia: Prime Minister, Namibia |
| Salmi Watyako Tuyambeka Mvula:Namibia:Founder and Board Chairlady of Watyako Foundation |
| Samira Bawumia.Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Founder and CEO of Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects. |
| Sanda Ojiambo,South Africa,Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Global Compact |
| Sara Menker :Ethiopia: CEO, Gro Intelligence |
| Simi Nwogugu ,CEO, Junior Achievement Africa |
| Solange Amichia, CEO, CEPICI |
| Stacy Amoateng:Ghana:Tv Host/Producer-Restoration with Stacy Speaker Actress Philanthropist CEO-Platinum Networks Int. Director-Megastar Int Event/Media Consultant. |
| Stigmata Tenga (Dr.), Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network |
| Taiwo Olowu,Ceo Water For Life Project |
| Takyiwaa Manuh, Academic and gender studies expert |
| Theresa Kachindamoto, Paramount Chief of Dedza district |
| Thuli Madonsela , South African Advocate |
| Torwomenye Kwasi Mawuli Azaglo. Ghana, Founder & President, Future of Africa |
| Tunde Ednut: Nigeria:Blogger, comedian, entertainer and musician |
| Uche Kenneth Udekwe, Social Entrepreneur, SDG Advocate, Founder/CEO of NATAL CARES. |
| Vicky Ntetema, Investigative journalist and human rights activist |
| Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS |
| YAYRA PORTIA KLU:Politician, Entrepreneur, Youth Activist Women Advocate |
| Yesigye Brian Bravo: CEO at Bravo Shoes. |
| Zeinab Badawi :Sudan: BBC journalist and presenter |