10 Young Leaders Who are Transforming Africa

Africa stands at the threshold of a renaissance, and leading this charge are a new generation of visionary young Africans redefining what it means to be African in the 21st century. Through activism, innovation, arts, and leadership, they are not only challenging stereotypes but also carving out a future rich with possibility. At Feelnubia, we are proud to spotlight ten emerging African changemakers transforming perceptions of the continent on the global stage.

1. Nissi Ogulu (Nigeria) – Bridging the Tech and Creative Space

Jehovah-Nissi Ogulu (Nissi) is a multi-disciplinary artist and engineer. She is an entrepreneur who is reshaping African narratives through music, animation, and innovation. The multi-hyphenate is the founder of Creele Studios and part of the 2023 Range Rover design team. She is the co-founder of Kemet Automotives, a pan-African electric vehicle (EV) company.  Nissi champions education, Afrocentric storytelling, and youth empowerment, earning accolades like the 2025 Forbes Africa Youth Icon Award. Read Nissi’s article on US trade restrictions, and in how Africa can pivot here.

2. Elizabeth Wathuti (Kenya) – A Voice for the Trees

Elizabeth Wathuti is a Kenyan environmentalist and founder of the Green Generation Initiative. With over 30,000 trees planted and an unwavering commitment to climate education, she inspires the next generation to prioritize sustainability. A global keynote speaker and Greenbelt Movement mentee, Wathuti represents Africa’s youth voice on the climate crisis at forums such as COP26.

3. Ruvimbo Samanga (Zimbabwe) – Africa’s Space Policy Pioneer

Ruvimbo Samanga stands at the intersection of law and space science. A space policy analyst and researcher, she advocates for satellite technology to solve pressing development issues like agriculture and disaster response. Samanga represented Zimbabwe at the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court and serves on global think tanks like the Space Arbitration Association.

4. Fatou Jeng (The Gambia) – Championing Climate and Gender

Fatou Jeng, founder of Clean Earth Gambia, is a climate change and gender activist who empowers young people, especially women, to lead community-based environmental action. Under her leadership, over 30,000 trees have been planted and more than 500 schoolchildren educated in climate awareness.

5. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba (Zimbabwe) – The Continent’s Youngest AU Envoy

Appointed as the African Union’s Special Envoy for Youth, Chido Mpemba is the youngest senior official in AU history. She advocates for inclusive policies, youth empowerment, and digital skills. Her initiatives have reached thousands, focusing on employment and mental health among young Africans.

6. Alex Mativo (Kenya) – Turning E-Waste into Opportunity

Alex Mativo is an award-winning entrepreneur whose startup, E-LAB, transforms electronic waste into high-end fashion and furniture. A second venture, Duck, uses artificial intelligence to provide real-time retail analytics. His creative tech ventures highlight how African ingenuity can solve global environmental and business challenges.

7. Victory Ashaka (Nigeria) – Art Meets Environmental Justice

Victory Ashaka is not just a climate activist. He is a storyteller who merges poetry with advocacy. As a spoken word artist and founder of the “Art for Climate” campaign, Ashaka mobilizes young Nigerians through performance art and grassroots campaigns. His work has impacted over 17,500 people across 17 projects, including tree-planting drives and climate education in under-served communities. His approach brings emotional resonance to environmental challenges, making climate justice relatable and urgent

8. Pajesse Boris Kendjio Nzogning (Cameroon) – Promoting Justice and Social Inclusion

Kendjio Nzogning works as a junior expert on gender and social inclusion at the African Development Bank. He is also a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, human rights, and democratic governance in Central Africa. His work seeks to bridge the gap between policy and grassroots realities.

9. Bobi Wine (Uganda) – From Pop Star to Political Icon

Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi, is a musician-turned-politician whose People Power movement has galvanized Ugandan youth. His presidential run in 2021 drew global attention to the struggle for democracy and civil liberties in Uganda. Through music and activism, he remains a potent symbol of resistance.

10. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal) – Africa’s Youngest President

Elected in 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye became Senegal’s youngest-ever president. A former tax inspector, he rose to power on a platform of anti-corruption and agricultural reform. It is still early in his term, but Faye symbolizes a generational shift in African politics, where young leaders demand transparency and equity.

 

At Feelnubia, we celebrate these leaders as symbols of a continent on the rise. These young thinkers demonstrate that the future is here. It is not something to await; it is being written, right now, by Africa’s youth.

Feelnubia is the home of Africa’s intelligentsia.