Dr.Kwame Nkuruma Osagyefo and Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere both
had a vision for a united Africa, which has been the subject of
discussion since 1963. It has led to the African Union (formerly
Organization of African Unity- OAU) coming up with Africa Agenda 2063,
which is an ambitious vision for Africa. In it, as narrated by outgoing
AU chair Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, is an Africa that is leading in
Trade, e-commerce, innovation, space exploration, technology, Education,
Quality infrastructure connecting the whole of Africa, one currency,
one leader and a united people without borders or barriers, borderless
Africa among many other progressive visions. Thomas Sankara of the
Bukinabbe had a vision for an Africa infested with upright men, before
the enemies of progress cut his life short just like they did to Patrice
Emery Lumumba of the Du-Congo. But Africa has never been short of
Visionary young men and women,Africa has a crop of quick growing
leaders,entrepreneurs and innovators. They are taking charge of their
destiny, transforming the continent and rewriting is future. They are
living the African dream and solving critical socio-economic problems
like poverty, disease, unemployment, corruption, illiteracy among many
other problems. From the election of no non sense, action on President
in Tanzania, to a young lady making bicycles using bamboo in Ghana, we
bring to you a list of 40 promising African visionaries in different
fields and professions and their stories as of March 2016.
Tanzania’s President e John Pombe Magufuli addresses members of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party (CCM).
1. PRESIDENT DR. JOHN POMBE MAGUFULI
Since his election and swearing in in November 2015, he has sent
shockwaves across Africa by his actions, in his first week in office,
pundits say that he did something his predecessor had not done in
10years, he went on a surprise visit to Muhimbili Hospital which is the
biggest public hospital in Tanzania and the state of the hospital was
pathetic and wanting, within a week of his visit, the top management of
the hospital was sent home and the hospital got a totally new face. His
anti-corruption war, and visionary style of leadership has seen him
quickly rise to be a role model and an admiration in Africa and the
whole world. If he keeps up with that spirit, Tanzania willbe the talk
of Africa and Africa Agenda 2063 and vision 2030 will be realized sooner
than expected. We wish him well and encourage him to keep up the good
fight, he is a pillar and a beacon of Africa rising.
2. JOE KARIUKI (KENYAN)
Co-Founder: African women and Beyond (AFWAB), Joe Kariuki (Kenyan).
Joe is a successful businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a
co-founder of AFWAB, which he co-founded with Martin Kappel who is also a
renowned community empowerment champion and has been helping different
communities in Africa through projects and initiatives. AFWAB is an
initiativethrough which they have empowered over 100,000 women from
different parts of Africa by giving them capital to start their
businesses, mentorship training, market access and bringing them
together to network and do business. He is intending to empower over 1
million women to start businesses, connect those in business to help
them network so as to open market access for their merchandise to all
parts of the world. His initiative is dubbed ‘Amsha Mama’ which
translates to support a woman and whose vision is to empower women to
venture into business as a means of eradicating poverty and also as a
means of achieving Africa inter/intra African trade in-line with Africa
Agenda 2063 and vision 2030. He is also the CEO of Candy and Candy
Records which is a music record studio that records young African
musicians and helps them sell their music. He has been providing
scholarships to kids from poor back grounds to get education, recently
he gave 120 scholarships to street children in Kenya and also paid for
their rehabilitation before starting school. He also has an initiative
that has been feeding over 3000 street children besides giving them
access to basic education.
3. STRIVE MASIYIWA (ZIMBABWEAN)
Founder and executive Chairman Econet Wireless
Zimbabwean businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, strive masiyiwa.
Considered one of Africa’s most generous humanitarian, he has won
numerous accolades and gained international recognition for his business
expertise and philanthropy. He has provided scholarships to over
100,000 young Africans through his family foundation.