The children
Marc van Olst, private investor
A scientist from a privileged background, Marc left his job as a partner with global management consultancy firm McKinsey to become a private investor. He now uses his commercial knowledge to help small businesses to benefit society in some way. By helping them, his vision is to help boost local economies, and which in turn, would help catalyze an African economic renaissance. Husband, father, and fitness fanatic, Marc once invented a patented mining device.
Founder of Tunisia's first English news website, Tunisia Live, where he leads a team of young journalists. On an average week Dr. Zied also hosts radio shows, writes articles and helps NGOs. Medically trained, he has also worked on the ground to treat Africa's biggest public health problems and taboos.
Swaady Martin- Leke, CEO of YSWARA
She is the CEO of YSWARA, a luxury tea company. Swaady often has a cosmopolitan approach to the continent's problems. A child refugee, Swaady's family fled 2 violent coups. By now, she has lived in 11 countries and is convinced that Africa's outlook has to change, and that she must be involved to change it. As one of multinational corporation General Electric's first female African leaders, she headed up transport development for the region of sub-Saharan Africa. She's pushing for African women to take what she believes are their rightful positions in a man's world. Her company only employs females.
Lydie Hakizimana, publishing entrepreneur
An accidental entrepreneur and self-declared introvert, Lydie never expected leadership success. When she returned to Rwanda after the genocide as a teenager, she found her generation had lost all hope in the future. But she believed that through stories they may find both escapism and hope, so she began by selling her own books from a small store in her spare time. Now, her company helps spread English literacy in schools by representing UK publisher Pearson in Rwanda.
Ndumiso Luthuli, legal advisor
As first-hand witness to the anti-Apartheid struggle for black emancipation, Ndumiso believes passionately in the power of the law to protect civil liberties. Having made it from the volatile townships of Johannesburg to the colleges of Oxford, then to his own law firm, he now plays a top role in South African business.
Amy Jadesimi, Manager of Lagos port development
When she's not chairing meetings, you may find her in a hard hat and boots on an offshore rig. Amy manages a project to turn the port of Lagos into a regional hub for the oil and gas industry and has raised more than $100 million in investment money. Medically trained at Oxford University, she also wants to tackle maternal mortality and has pioneered a way of creating access by the country's poorest women to life-saving medicines.
Vincent Waiswa Bagiire, Member of Parliament
He's the Vice Chairman of the Ugandan Parliament's IT committee. With the worries of his rural constituents on his shoulders, Vincent needs to find new ways to approach old problems of poverty, illiteracy, exclusion and disempowerment. An IT manager at the age of 22, he's risen to early success in communications.
Mema Beye, Commercial Manager for Rio Tinto
Currently a Commercial Manager for the Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Group in Africa, Mema is passionate about building strong private and public sector relations. Also, as a member of Africa 2.0, Beye is among the young Africans who seek to transform the continent within a generation, by fast-tracking the renaissance and the wealth creation potential of Africa. Beye holds a M.A. in International Business Relations from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from Michigan State University.
Julie Gichuru, chat show host
This celebrity mother of five co-founded a foundation with her husband, which aims to give every child in East Africa the gift of a good pair of shoes and a hygiene kit. Gichuru's show, 'Sunday Live with Julie Gichuru,' on Citizen TV, exposes the political world to the scrutiny of viewers and tackles touchy social taboos. In the aftermath of Kenya's 2008 post-election turmoil, she used the show to face perpetrators with victims and attempt reconciliation.
Tatenda Manjengwa, financial trader
For Manjengwa, any move for Africa's future should be all about the bottom line, and it should be hand-in-hand with education delivery that will truly empower people. Trading for one of South Africa's biggest banks, Nedbank, Manjengwa views wealth creation and education as the two best ways to overcome Africa's key obstacles. Schooled by the world's top banks and management consultancies, risk-management expert Tatenda's career took a hit when he was laid off from a top job at the height of the financial crisis in 2008. But seeing a business opportunity, he bounced back and set up his own company, advising decision-makers how to weather the financial climate.
Mark Miller, private banker
Corporate success came extremely early for Mark, whose role in banking is to help high earners manage their finances. He helps drive strategy and expansion at his company Investec, an asset management multinational company, and also a key sponsor of Tutu's leadership project. Miller has always dealt with countries outside Africa more closely than those in it. And life in Cape Town somehow seems remote from the crises which can plague the rest of the continent.
Mathews Mtumbuka, IT Director
Matthews is an engineer, currently working as the IT Director for leading mobile communications operator Airtel in Malawi. He has management, technology research, teaching, and journalism experience. Oh, and he was on the task force to set up Malawi's University of Science and Technology. But it's not all science and machines...he also impacts people as a motivational speaker.
Andrew Gache Mude, environmental scientist
Kenya's livestock farmers are desperately vulnerable to the ravages of drought. As a project leader at a research institute, award-winning scientist Dr. Mude works on ways to protect livestock-farming families, who always suffer badly when environmental disasters strike.
James Mworia, CEO of an investment firm
Mworia's the unbelievably young CEO of one of the largest investment companies in East Africa, Centum Investments. Since he took over in 2008, total assets have grown by over 100%. And squash-playing James ranks 6th on the Forbes' list of young and powerful African men
Emmanuel Ada Ogejuma, pharmaceutical company regional manager
Pharmacist and award-winning sales manager, Emmanuel is responsible for the sales of HIV drugs and vaccines in Nigeria for pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, which is a key corporate sponsor of the leadership project. But Emmanuel isn't just well known at GSK for his own success; he's also seen to help other team members develop in their careers.
Elijah Onyeagba,PhD
HE, Amb. Elijah Onyeagba is the APC House of Representatives candidate for Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the last concluded 2019 Nigerian general elections. He is an Economist by training and has an MBA in Finance with over seventeen years’ experience in commercial, corporate, retail, mortgage banking, real estate, research, marketing and leadership. He is an expert in the structuring and advisory on construction finance deals with specialty in residential/affordable housing projects. He is currently the CEO of Countrywide Housing Company (CHC) – a company that has set out to develop affordable housing units in Nigeria and to create value within the housing ecosystem. He also worked as Head of Commercial (Marketing & Sales), Northern Operations of the Nigeria Securities, Printing and Minting (NSPM Plc). Prior to that, he was the Group Head (AGM) in charge of Real Estate Transaction in ASO Savings & Loans Plc; Nigeria’s largest originator of mortgage assets with additional responsibility of overseeing the company business concerns within the Federal Capital Territory, North and the Southern Regions of Nigeria. Before joining ASO, he worked with Equitorial Trust Bank (Now Sterling Bank) as Head of Business, Bond Bank (Now Skye Bank) as relationship manager and Platinum Bank (Now keystone Bank) as relationship officer and customer service officer. He also worked as a research assistant with the Policy Analysis and Research Group (PARG).
Elijah is Alumnus of the International Housing Finance Program and Securitization of the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania. In addition, he has undergone several leadership and management courses in Harvard Business School USA – High Potential Leadership Program HPLP- 2008, Leadership Development LD 2009, Wharton Business School USA – Strategic Marketing – MT 2010, Said Business School Oxford UK, 2012 and INSEAD Business School, Fontaine Bleau, France – Leadership Transition LT, 2013.
Academically, He bagged his first degree in Economics with 21 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, MBA in Finance from University of Calabar and Master’s in Applied Economics from the American University in Washington DC, USA. He has a PhD in Economics (Public Policy) from the Prestigious Atlantic International University, Hawaii USA. He is a BOT member of IgbaK’Igba Foundation - an NGO. He also sits on the Advisory board of Democracy Youth Roundtable. Professionally, Elijah is an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow of the African Leadership Institute, He is also a Senior Member of the Chartered institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB) and a Fellow of the Institute of Treasury and Financial Administration (FITFA), a new leader with the Crans Montana Forum and a member of the African Leadership Network-ALN.
Elijah is a trailblazer in any area of endeavor he finds himself. His intelligence and disruptive thinking leads to the emergence of new ways of doing things. Most importantly he constructively applies his intelligence to solving problems and delivering quality services. Elijah is a hardworking person who is unequivocally committed to the achievement of his team’s objectives. He also exhibits a high level of self-confidence and maintains poise every situation. One major area in which he stands out from his peers is as regards his leadership skills; he is a good team leader and possesses excellent people management skills. People who have worked with Elijah are of the opinion that he is an excellent person to work with. He is able to achieve that delicate balance, the ability to be friends with his team members and at the same time command their respect and get things done. Elijah is also an honest and trustworthy individual. He can be relied upon no matter how serious the issue at hand is. Elijah speaks at conferences and seminars nationally and internationally and for the past five years have been a panelist at the Mo Ibrahim governance weekend discussing issues on Africa and the youth bulge. He has won numerous awards for his academic prowess, professional excellence in banking and in the real estate industry, contribution to youth empowerment, education and community development. He is married to beautiful Udo and a father of four – Somto, David, Daniel and Denzel.
Rugyendo Deo Arinaitwe, founder of a newspaper
He was an orphan at just three months, but by the age of 22, Rugyendo had decided to start a national newspaper with less than 500 US dollars in his pocket. Now it employs 350 other young Ugandans. The Red Pepper online newspaper, the first tabloid newspaper in East Africa, is never far from controversy with its provocative editorial line. Rugyendo mentors a public policy think-tank and is an ambassador for charities in his free time. He stages as great figure as an inspiration to many as he and many other old boys of Kitabi Seminary, a renowned traditional school take up key positions in all spheres of the country.
Ipeleng Selele, CEO of a marketing firm
Ipeleng the founder and CEO of a branding and marketing firm, the Khumo Group. She is already moving in top political circles with her firm's mission to enhance South Africa's international reputation, Ipeleng has seen the life of world leaders at close quarters.
Farai Shonhiwa, Project Manager at a life healthcare group
Once an intern at the Prime Minister's Office in Zimbabwe, she is now a medical doctor with a Master's degree in business from Harvard. She has helped women in poor communities access affordable maternity services and knows the realities of African health care delivery for both the public and private sectors.
Buntu Siwisa, political analyst
Oxford-educated political analyst, Dr. Buntu monitors Zimbabwean politics for the South African government. He has monitored elections in several African states, and advised them on factors brooding within their domestic political scene. He also has experience in academic lecturing, diplomacy and financial management.
Andrew Toboso, Kenyan policy and strategy advisor
Since being filmed for this series, Andrew has resigned from his job developing a "2030" strategy for Kenya and is now running for parliament in the next Kenyan General Election. Andrew, an economist, worked on the Strategy team for Kenya Vision 2030, which aims to bring Kenya "towards a globally competitive and prosperous nation." He is now on the campaign trail for the Butere seat.
Mfundisiwe Dlamini, a liaison manager for a mining giant
A community liaison manager for mining multinational company Richard Bay Minerals, Mfundi is a bridge-builder and peace-maker. Mfundi ran her own consulting company in Johannesburg and has managed an empowerment program. She never wants her leadership ambition to get in between her and Africa's grassroots communities.
Alima Hussein, Government Relations Advisor to mining multinational company, Rio Tinto
Co-founder of a microfinance bank that helps struggling business women, Alima is a young mother with a hectic schedule. She manages external relations teams for mining multinational Rio Tinto—a role which requires strategic thinking and strict confidentiality.
Jean-Philippe Kaybotsi, Private Sector Advisor for the President of Rwanda
He has skills in elaborating and promoting strategies to improve policies and regulations that affect and influence investors. He has a past for taking on these types of assignments for top executives and high level politicians, and now works in the private sector, advising the President of Rwanda for development.
Sandro de Brito, National Director for Planning in the Ministry of Finance
He is the National Director for Planning in the Ministry of Finance, where he monitors the strategies and the planning of Cape Verde's finance. He is also the lead negotiator concerning issues of finance; at the same time responsible for supervising the plan that turns Cape Verde into a higher economy, the Economic Transformation Agenda of Cape Verde. Besides being the eye that hovers over a country's finance, Sandro created programs that supported children to prepare for universities, and co-founded a sports club for the Cape Verdean emigrants in New York.
