FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 List (10th Edition)

Marking 10 years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list, this edition will also hark back to the journey of unearthing Africa’s youngest and brightest people taking the continent to the future. The 10th annual list will highlight the potential of what is yet to come.

Now is the time to invite the next 30 visionaries, risk-takers, change-makers and pioneers from Africa to take their place in the class of 2024. This is a list that promises to be the biggest and best yet as they foray the way into the next decade.

Nominations and Application Criteria

• Business and Technology categories
  • Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024
  • Should have a legitimate REGISTERED business on the continent
  • Business/businesses should be two years or older (please ensure you have your audited financial documents for at least two years as well as your company’s registration documents; should you make the second stage, this will be required)
  • The more innovative the business the better (as it speaks to Africa’s growth story)
  • Have you/your company created social impact on the African continent?
  • The company must be profit-generating
  • Must employ people in Africa
  • All applications must be in English
• Sports category
  • Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024
  • Must be representing an African team
  • Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years
  • Should be making significant earnings
  • Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus
  • Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must oblige by the same rules as under Business/Technology
  • All applications must be in English
• Creatives category
  • Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024
  • Must be from or based in Africa
  • Should have significant earnings
  • Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years
  • Awards/recognition of any kind should be mentioned 
  • Social media presence will be taken into consideration
  • Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older
  • All applications must be in English
• Health/Science category
  • Must be a creative aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2024
  • Must be from or based in Africa
  • Should have a proven track-record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years
  • Must have social influence and impact
  • If the nominee is a doctor/professor, please provide us with documentation and a reference letter from the institution where the applicant received a doctorate or Ph.D.  
  • Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older
  • All applications must be in English

Criteria

• The rigorous nominations process will require extensive paperwork including police clearance certificates (PCC) or a report from your country verifying that you have no criminal record, no ongoing or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of that country.
• The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 team of curators will also need a recommendation/reference letter from a financial institution (like your bank), ensuring that you are a legitimate business/brand employing funds responsibly.
• They recommend that you contact your financial institution or advisor to prepare for this part of the process as well as apply for your PCC as it could potentially take 4-6 weeks.

For more information, visit Forbes Africa.