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12 Most Promising African Entrepreneurs of 2016

12 Most Promising African Entrepreneurs of 2016

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Each year, Forbes releases lists of promising entrepreneurs from all over the world. The 2016 list for promising African entrepreneurs looks at under-35s who are making names for themselves in all areas of the business world, from fashion and beauty to medicine and renewable energy. Here are 12 of the most fascinating projects and inspiring entrepreneurs in Africa for 2016.

Sources: Forbes.com, DestinyConnect.com, Pulse.ng, CNN.com, AnzishaPrize.org, World-Entrepreneurship-Forum.com, ThreeSixtyGH.com, AIMGroup.co.tz, HowWeMadeItInAfrica.com

Simbarashe Mhuriro, Founder, Oxygen Africa Twitter.com
Simbarashe Mhuriro, Founder, Oxygen Africa
Twitter.com

Simbarashe Mhuriro, Zimbabwe

Mhuriro founded his first company, Oxygen Africa, in 2009, to help foreign investors in Zimbabwe. It later joined with Meeco Group to create Oursun Energy Zimbabwe, specializing in developing and operating solar photovoltaic energy projects throughout the country. Since then, Oxygen Africa has ended its partnership with Meeco but continues to raise millions of dollars and is on track to build further grid-connected solar plants in Zimbabwe.

Mike Chilewe Jr, CEO of Star Radio Malawi Twitter.com
Mike Chilewe Jr, CEO of Star Radio Malawi
Twitter.com

Mike Chilewe Jr, Malawi

The name Chilewe is not new to the business world in Malawi, as Mike Chilewe is considered one of the country’s most successful businessmen. But his son, Mike Chilewe Jr, is making a name for himself in the media world, recently acquiring Star Radio Malawi in 2015. The private radio station was floundering when Chilewe took over, and is now being restructured into one of the country’s most successful stations.

Ntombenhle Khathwane, Founder of AfroBotanics 200YSA.mg.co.za
Ntombenhle Khathwane, Founder of AfroBotanics
200YSA.mg.co.za

Ntombenhle Khathwane, Swaziland

Khathwane is the founder of AfroBotanics, a premium hair care product company that specializes in using African botanical oils and other natural products. She was inspired by the natural oils her grandmother used on her own hair, and the idea for her company was born. When asked what advice she would give to other women in business, she said, “Keep reading and learning every single day. And dream big, very big, then execute your plan. Focus on the execution of your plan.”

Source: DestinyConnect.com

Mutoba Ngoma, Founder, Tapera Industries CNN.com
Mutoba Ngoma, Founder, Tapera Bio Industries
CNN.com

Mutoba Ngoma, Zambia

In 2009, Ngoma founded Tapera Bio Industries, a company that focuses on producing biodiesel fuel and other derivatives of vegetable oils, including processing them into natural soaps and shampoos. Ngoma’s idea is to help address fuel shortages and create vocational training and job opportunities for his fellow Zambians.

Trushar Khetia, Founder, Tria Group MarkMaish.com
Trushar Khetia, Founder, Tria Group
MarkMaish.com

Trushar Khetia, Kenya

Khetia founded Tria Group in 2013, a company that uses public transit vehicles for outdoor advertising, and its client list now includes big names such as Google, Unilever, HP, and more. Over 200 buses in Nairobi now carry ads placed by Tria Group. Khetia is also the founder of Society Stores, a supermarket and retail outlet based in Thika, Kenya. His two businesses generated revenue of over $7 million so far.

Olatorera Oniru, Founder, DressMeOutlet KonnectAfrica.net
Olatorera Oniru, Founder, DressMeOutlet
KonnectAfrica.net

Olatorera Oniru, Nigeria

Dressmeoutlet.com has quickly become one of Nigeria’s most popular online fashion stores, and Olatorera Oniru is behind it all. Though she only began the company last year, it has already made a big splash and has earned a reputation for quality and creative pieces – no surprise, given that Oniru handpicks each piece herself.

Nadeem Juma, Founder, AIM Group Dia.co.tz
Nadeem Juma, Founder, AIM Group
Dia.co.tz

Nadeem Juma, Tanzania

Juma is no stranger to the entrepreneurial world; in 2004, he founded Efulusi Africa, which soon developed Tanzania’s first mobile banking platform. More recently, he founded AIM Group in 2014, initially to focus on developing infrastructure to use digital content in interactive kiosks, motion-controlled projections, and more. It has since expanded its reach, and is involved in a number of projects.

Aisha Ayensu, Founder, Christie Brown Collection TheWCommunity.com
Aisha Ayensu, Founder, Christie Brown Collection
TheWCommunity.com

Aisha Ayensu, Ghana

Fashion guru Aisha Ayensu founded her fashion brand, the Christie Brown Collection, to bring an international approach to Ghanaian fashion. Inspired by the vibrant garments her grandmother used to make, Ayensu’s brand utilizes similarly rich and exciting colors and styles – an approach that has resonated with its audience. Ayensu remains the creative director in order to ensure continuing quality, and her company is beginning to grow internationally as well.

Thato Kgatlhanye, Founder, Repurpose School Bags Elle.co.za
Thato Kgatlhanye, Founder, Repurpose School Bags
Elle.co.za

Thato Kgatlhanye, South Africa

Kgatlhanye, along with Rea Ngwane (who has since left the company), co-founded Repurpose School Bags. The company recycles plastic waste and creates plastic school bags, complete with a solar panel in the flap. The solar panel is charged throughout the day as kids walk to school, and allow students to have light at night for studying. Repurpose School Bags creates more than just a handy tool for students, however, and Kgatlhanye believes its impact goes further. “Seeing the kids believe that you can have waste and rubbish… (turned into) so much more – you get kids being interested in recycling, whereas before you’re in a rural area the concept of upcycling is a foreign concept. But when it comes in the form of a tangible product that helps you out – now kids are picking up litter around the community.”

Source: CNN.com

Vanessa Zommi, Founder, CNN.com
Vanessa Zommi, Founder, Emerald Moringa Tea
CNN.com

Vanessa Zommi, Cameroon

Zommi was inspired by her mother’s struggle with diabetes to try to come up with healthy, alternative treatments to help manage her disease. She discovered the moringa oleifera tree in her region, whose leaves have properties to help lower blood sugar levels. She founded Emerald Moringa Tea, and partners with local farmers to supply the leaves and process them into moringa tea bags. She also helps small-scale farmers grow more moringa, providing seeds and planting skills.

Ogunlana Olumide and Chukwuwezam Obanor, Co-Founders, PrepClass TechSabi.com
Ogunlana Olumide and Chukwuwezam Obanor, Co-Founders, PrepClass
TechSabi.com

Ogunlana Olumide and Chukwuwezam Obanor, Nigeria

Inspired by an MIT event in Lagos, Obanor teamed up with Olumide to create PrepClass, an online test prep software designed to make it easier for Nigerian students to prepare for upcoming tests. In addition to providing test prep materials online, the company now employs over 100 tutors who travel to students’ homes around the country to teach one-on-one. The personalized approach has been successful, and the company is now earning 1400 percent more than its starting revenue.

Clarisse Iribagize, Founder, HeHe Ltd NewTimes.co.rw
Clarisse Iribagize, Founder, HeHe Ltd
NewTimes.co.rw

Clarisse Iribagize, Rwanda

Iribagize founded her company, HeHe Limited, in 2010, and it is now considered one of the leading mobile technology companies in Rwanda. HeHe provides a platform to build custom mobile apps for businesses, in addition to providing online and in-person support and cloud storage. Government agencies in Rwanda have joined HeHe’s client list, a testament to Iribagize’s growing presence in the field.