"Across Africa, we have seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny, and making change from the bottom up.” President Obama 2009
Here is the list of some of the amazing people we were lucky enough to encounter in 2011. As an African I am so proud to know them. They are making difference in their own ways and I love their wisdom. I am sure we have forgotten more people, if so please accept our apologies.
1# Dominic Wanjihia: Independent renewable & environment professional
2# Semhar Araia- Oxfam International’s Horn of Africa Regional Policy Advisor- Founder of DAWner
3# Solome Lemma: Ethiopian ChangeMaker
4# Sosena Solomon: Ethiopian film maker and art director
5# Saran Kaba Jones: founder and executive director of FACE Africa
6# Wael Ghonim: internet activist and computer engineer
7# Adushan Pillay : Biochemist
8# Barbara Birungi: founder of women in technology in Uganda
9# Mark Davies: founder, Esoko
10# Anita Mpambara-Cox: President of the Mpambara-Cox Foundation (MCF)
11# Estelle Akofio-Sowah: Ghana country manager, Google
12# Rakesh Rajani: Tanzanian activist, head of Twaweza
13# Bright Simons: inventor of mPedigree
14# Ato Ulzen-Appiah: CEO of Museke Inc
15# Wangari Maathai: Kenyan environmental and political (RIP) activist
16# Omar Toure: Senegalese rap star
17# Joseph Gatete: Quickisms in secondary school projects
18# Robert Katabarwa: Igisekuru innovation
19# Nick Zemura: founder of Lillian Watson Values (LWV)
20# Aissatou Padane: microfinance development in Tambacounda
21# Maimouna Ndour Faye: Senegalese journalist
22# Kathleen BomaniTanzanian digital media enthusiast, event curator, activist
23# Yemi Adesokan: Founder of Pathogenica Inc.
24# Hawa Barry-Diallo: Founder of NIMBA Foundation
25# Edward Tagoe: Co-founder of Nandimobile
26# Kwaku Kyei: Social entrepreneur
27# Olivia Van Rooyen: the Kuyasa Fund
28# Aleke Dondo: Founder of Juhudi Kilimo
29# Dorothy K. Gordon: Director of AITI-KACE
30# Eyram Akofa Tawia: co-founder Leti Games
31# Kokkie Kooyman: Fund manager
33# Tidjane Deme: country Manager Google Sénegal
34# Gossy Ukanwoke: CEO, Students Circle
35# William Kamkwamba: Inventor
36# Eliza Anyangwe: Journalist at the Guardian
37# Anas Aremeyaw Anas: Investigative journalist
38# Funke Opeke: CEO of MainOne
39# Marie Jalloh: Parliamentarian
40# Nnenna Nwakanma: FOSS activist
41# Mirriam Kauseni: Parliamentary candidate
42# Samuel Agossou: Entrepreneur
43# Justine Ojambo: Co-founder Phoebe Education Fund for Orphans (PEFO)
44# Alloysius Attah & Emmanuel Owusu Addai: founders of Farmerline Moblie App- Winner Apps4Africa
46# Herman Chinery-Hesse: Co-founder of SOFTtribe
47# Teddy Ruge: Photographer- Co-Founder of Project Diaspora
48# Jackson Muneza Mvunganyi: Voice of America- Upfront Africa
49# Miriam Quansah: BBC World Service Africa- Social Media Journalist
50# Elsie Kanza: director, Head of Africa-World Economic Forum