Meet The 8 African “Rising Stars” Who Made The First-Ever TIME 100 Next List

Yesterday ushered in the first-ever TIME 100 Next list. The inaugural TIME 100 Next List featured 100 rising stars who are shaping the future of business, politics, entertainment and more.

And eight Africans — three Nigerians and one person each from Kenya, Ghana, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda — made the cut.

The new TIME 100 Next list features rising stars from all over the world shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, science, health, and other sectors. Although the recognition was mainly reserved for youths on the rise, age was never really a factor.

TIME says: “Although this focus lends itself to a younger group, we intentionally had no age cap — a recognition that ascents can begin at any age.”

The magazine also declared that “TIME 100 Next members all have grand ambitions, and they know they may face even greater setbacks. But by and large, ‘they are driven by hope.’ They are eager to defy the odds — and fight for a better future.”

Now, below are the eight Africans named in the first-ever TIME 100 Next list:

• Kwame Onwuachi (Nigeria)

Kwame Onwuachi is a professional chef and author. He is named in the ‘Advocate’ category. He was profiled by Tom Colicchio, the head judge on Top Chef, a popular American cooking show.

• Wanuri Kahiu (Kenya)

Wanuri Kahiu was recognised in the ‘Artist’ category. She a film director who is best known for Rafiki — one of her most groundbreaking works yet.

• Robert “Bobi Wine” Ssentamu (Uganda)

Bobi Wine is listed in the ‘Phenom’ category. He is a Ugandan musician-turned-presidential candidate who has become the strongest opposition to Uganda’s current president, Yoweri Museveni, and is looking to unseat the country’s leader who has held power for 33 years.

• Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi (Nigeria)

Owosobi is listed in the ‘Advocate’ category for making a stand against sexual assault in Nigeria through her organisation, Stand to End Rape (STER).

• Magid Magid (Somalia)

Magid Magid is a Somali-British MP. He is listed in the ‘Advocate’ category. He is working on an antifascism campaign in five cities across Europe while advocating to make politics more accessible to young people.

• Njideka Akunyili Crosby (Nigeria)

Njideka Akunyili, one of the daughters of the irreplaceable late Dora Akunyili, is recognised in the ‘Artist’ category. She made the list on account of her many amazing artworks that have gobbled up millions of dollars at auctions.

• Joy Buolamwini (Ghana)

Joy Buolamwini, an Ghanaian-American scientist was profiled in the ‘Advocate’ category. She made the cut on account of her work in fixing biases common with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Adut Akech (South Sudan)

Adut Akech is a South Sudanese model who was forced to flee her country for Kenya, and then Australia due to violence. Since making her major debut three years ago, the supermodel has scored multiple international Vogue covers and secured highly-coveted gigs. She was recognised in the ‘Advocate’ category for her concerted efforts to make the fashion industry more inclusive, while also calling out racism and other forms of discrimination against refugees.

Featured Image Courtesy: BBC