Ventures Africa’s 2016 List of African Innovators To Watch

Our 2016 list showcases African innovators who are bridging the inclusivity gap in the African innovation space and advancing the continent.

The 2016 edition of the African Innovators to Watch recognizes 42 individuals and teams of innovators in the fields of arts, fashion, music, agriculture, business, science, technology, health, television and movies, education, law, and comedy who are committed to improving their communities and countries, thereby advancing the status of the African continent on a global scale with their innovations.

Our innovators are representative of every region in the African continent including countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia, Malawi, Uganda, and Ghana, and they are making their mark around the globe. Innovations to watch out for on the Innovators to Watch List List include an impressive tool for improving social accountability, eco-friendly bicycles, a keyboard featuring Nigerian languages and characters, food that belongs on a canvass as much as it belongs in your mouth, and malaria research that is changing the way drug resistance is being tested in Africa, amongst many others.

With a perfect gender balance, our list is made complete with the individuals that are responsible for bringing these life-enhancing innovations to life in Africa and beyond. This year, the aim of the innovation list is to celebrate Africa and African innovators we are proud of today in their dedication to changing their societies for the better and enhancing the lives of the people living around them. However, even if there are only 42 individuals (or teams) on this year’s list, Africa owes its ongoing transformation to every single African committed to developing the continent and making it a better place to live.

Ventures Africa presents the full list of African Innovators to Watch in 2016 on a new interactive page. The page also features three exciting articles from Ventures Africa CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Uzodinma Iweala on Nollywood’s leading lady, Genevieve Nnaji, Hadassah Egbedi’s exploration of the innovative art of Victor Ehikhamenor and Nnamdi Awa-Kalu’s look at social media’s birthing of the new faces of Nigerian comedy. 

42 African Innovators To Watch 2016

1.         Tonje Bakang

2.        Kelvin Okafor

3.        Jean Bosco Kazirukanyo

4.       Samuel Otukol

5.        Paul-Miki Akpablie

6.       Afua Osei

7.        Asma Mansour

8.       Takunda Chigonzo

9.       Evans Wadongo

10.     Nkem Uwaje Begho

11.       Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola

12.      Rapelang Rabana

13.      Madiba Olivier

14.     Roye Okupe

15.      Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

16.     Ntone Edjabe

17.      Meschac Gaba

18.     Sara Menker

19.     Boniface Mwangi

20.    Oluseun Onigbinde

21.      Adebunmi Adediran

22.     Thumbi Mwangi

23.     Sitawa Wafula

24.    Chrystelle Wedi

25.     Ify Aniebo

26.    Vivian Maduekeh

27.     Chief Obi

28.    Rachel Sibande

29.    Damola Taiwo, Tola Ogunsola, Dolapo Taiwo

30.    Loza Maleombho

31.      Priscilla Hazel, Cassandra Sarfo, Esther Olatunde

32.     Ozoz Sokoh

33.     Zina Saro-Wiwa

34.    Zim Ugochukwu

35.     Edward Mabaya

36.    Igoni Barrett

37.     Winnifred Selby

38.    Yahaya Ahmed

39.    Lesley Erica Scott

40.    Adnane Remmal

41.     Victor Ehikhamenor

42.    Genevieve Nnaji

The 2016 edition of the Top African Innovators to Watch is live at www.venturesafrica.com/innovators