The Future Awards Africa Unveils Nominees for 20th Edition
The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), the continent’s leading platform for celebrating young African excellence, has announced the nominees for its 20th edition. Themed “Celebrating The Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation,” the milestone edition honours achievements across 26 categories, with nominees including technology entrepreneur Odunayo Eweniyi, sprinter Letsile Tebogo and singer Nikita Kering.
For two decades, TFAA has celebrated young Africans aged 18 to 35 whose work reflects excellence, innovation, leadership and meaningful impact. This year’s nominees represent a broad range of fields, from technology and entrepreneurship to the arts, public service, sports and community development.
The power-packed list includes technology entrepreneur Odunayo Eweniyi, sprinter Letsile Tebogo, singer Nikita Kering, photographer Stephen Tayo Ajibare, filmmaker Eniola Korty Olanrewaju and author Damilare Kuku. Alongside their fellow nominees, they represent a generation that challenges conventions and expands possibilities within their fields.
“Twenty editions into this journey, we have seen how profoundly young Africans can change the direction of an industry, a community and the continent itself,” said Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of TFAA. “This year’s nominees carry that story forward. Through the originality of their ideas, the conviction behind their work and the opportunities they create for others, they are giving new meaning to what Africa can achieve. ‘Celebrating The Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation’ honours that ambition and the tangible progress it makes possible. Our responsibility is to give their achievements the recognition they deserve and ensure their contributions are part of how Africa’s story is told.”
Following the unveiling, the nominees will be assessed through TFAA’s selection process, supported by its Jury and Independent Audit Committee to uphold the fairness, credibility and integrity of the awards.
As the 20th edition approaches, the spotlight turns to the people behind the nominations: the ideas they have pursued, the opportunities they have created and the communities their work continues to reach. Their stories will take centre stage as TFAA celebrates this milestone and the young Africans carrying its legacy of excellence forward.
Here is the full list of nominees for the 20th edition of The Future Awards Africa:
| CATEGORIES | NOMINEES |
|---|---|
| PHOTOGRAPHY | Agbaje Halimah Daniel Msirikale Oluwatosin Junaid Chidubem Praise Nmeka Stephen Tayo Ajibare |
| TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION | Odunayo Eweniyi Maxwell Opondo Charles Mfouapon Wendy Okolo Yanmo Omorogbe |
| MUSIC | Nikita Kering (Kenya) Shodade Solomon Segun (Shoday) Idris Lawal Oluwadamilare (Oshamo) Samuel Damilare (Abefe) Amalachukwu Okonkwo Chantell (Amma) |
| ON-AIR PERSONALITY | Claudia Naisambwa Leshoomo (Kenya) Joey Akan Kanyinsola Olukoya Nina Shaban (Kenya) Onyinyechi Aderibigbe |
| ENTREPRENEURSHIP | Iretidayo Zaccheaus Keyinde and Taiwo Smith Esther Uzodinma Olamidun Ogundoyin Adeola Adeyemi (Diiadem) |
| GOVERNANCE | Emma Inamutila Theofelus Rinsola Abiola Abideen Olasupo Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa Khalil Nur Khalil |
| ADVOCACY AND ACTIVISM | Aisha Hamman Habib Sheidu Violet Ejiata Joshua Okoduwa Oluwaseun Ikusika |
| LAW | Dr Stanley U. Nweke-Eze Taiwo Aromolaran Maryam Dan-Habu Oluwafunke Adeoye Temijuopelo Alufa |
| TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION | Justina Nwokedi Chiemela Ebere Martins Okechukwu Elizabeth Chibuzor Chiemela Anosike |
| EDUCATION | Princess Natasha Momoh Monalisa Agbata Israel Oyedare Jennifer Jonathan Gloria Babarinde |
| JOURNALISM | Onyinyechi Obaroh Obaroh Adesola Abisoye Omolola Afolabi Emmanuel Onwuka Riyah Abdul |
| AGRICULTURE | Chy Nwakanma Titilayo Aisha Damilola Funmilayo Famuyiwa Chioma Aniagolu Adaeze Ruth Okonmah |
| PROFESSIONAL SERVICE | Fatou Jeng Faith Emmanuel Abraham Mbuthia Ifeoluwa Ebiseni Iheakachi Nwabueze |
| SPORTS | Letsile Tebogo (Botswana ) Ashleigh Plumptre Tobi Amusan Emmanuel Wanyoyi (Kenya) Nene Joy Ojo |
| ART | Blessing Ejiroghene Adewale Echezona Ogudu Rahmal Houssig (Morocco) Anthony Azekwoh Tioluwa Yoloye |
| LITERATURE | Damilare Kuku Fatima Bala Eloghosa Osunde Somtochukwu Ihezue Peter Okonkwo |
| COMMUNITY ACTION | Daniel Ajala Damilola Feyide Oyinkansola Akinbiyi Deborah Aderogba Mordecai Orimiladeye |
| HEALTH AND WELLNESS | Dr Princess Akawor Mobolaji Ajayi Dr Cassandra Akinde Kiki Diorgu Faith Adewale |
| FASHION | Goodnews Emmanuel Fisayo Longe Prudent Gabriel Peterson Esther Yonkor Desirée Iyama |
| FILM | Eniola Korty Olanrewaju Abdulazeez Greene Ogechi Chikezie Damilare Adeeso Jigar Ganatra Ogheneyerhovwo Nana |
| CONTENT CREATION (COMEDY) | Aderonke Adepoju Daniel Ekpe (Akwaman) Folagade Banks Destiny Ogie Osarewinda (Dezny) Crazy Kennar ( Kenya) |
| CONTENT CREATION (LIFESTYLE) | Tobe Ugeh Wode Maya (Ghana) Eric Gugua Adenike Tejuoso Chef T |
| ACTING | Bolaji Ogunmola Teniola Aladese Uche Montana Rosman Sunshine Taye Arimoro |
| YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR | James Popoola Abdul Azeez Abdulyekeen Taiwo Aromolaran Deborah Johnson Nora Awolowo |
| CREATIVE EXCELLENCE | Laetitia KY (Abidjan) Akintunde Ikudayisi Ikudayisi Emmanuel Whajah Kendo Grant Ijeoma Mathew |
| PERFORMING ARTS | Ibukunoluwa Ajagbe (Ibquake) Hafsat Abdulllahi Victory Ashaka Kingfahd Ibitoye Diana Modeme |
| ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY | Charlot Magayi Brian Gadisi Chiemela Anosike Damilola Hamid Balogun Oyinkansola Owoyemi |
The 20th edition continues TFAA’s commitment to recognising young Africans whose work contributes to the continent’s growth and shapes the possibilities ahead. By celebrating the people who are truly redefining their generation, the awards honour the people helping define what Africa’s next chapter can become.