AFRICA UNDER 40 CEOs AWARDS & SUMMIT 2025: WHERE LEADERSHIP MET LEGACY IN JOHANNESBURG

By Sarah Banda | Editor-in-Chief, Chic-Tribe Digital Magazine

A week on, and the energy from the Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards & Summit 2025 still reverberates through every conversation, every headline, and every honoree’s timeline. From June 26th to 30th, Africa’s brightest young leaders gathered in Sandton Johannesburg, South Africa, for a historic first: the continental summit hosted on South African soil.

Orchestrated by the visionary Mayorkings Agency, the event was more than just a celebration—it was a declaration. A declaration that Africa is not only rising, but already thriving, driven by under-40 leaders who are bold enough to disrupt, build, and lead with intention.

Anchored by the powerful theme,

“The Africa We Want: Collaboration Over Competition for a Sustainable Societal Advancement,” the summit brought together a fusion of minds—CEOs, creatives, innovators, diplomats, and change agents—committed to building a unified, prosperous future.

The program featured a thought-provoking panel discussion, where real issues took center stage: sustainable development, pan-African collaboration, and redefining leadership for the next generation.

The panelists included:

• Dr. Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun

• Dr. Chichi Lion

• Ezinne Ezeani, founder of SheCan Nigeria and awardee

• Mr. Lebo Gunguluza

• Angel Pooe, serving both as moderator and honoree

The event was elegantly hosted by South African media personality Natasha Mncube, whose presence brought warmth, poise, and continuity to every moment.

Special highlights included the conferment of Honorary Doctorates by Prowess University (Delaware, USA) to select awardees, as well as the unveiling of the 3rd Edition of The African Under 40 CEO Book, a powerful compendium compiled by Amb. Dr. Temisan O Louis spotlighting the remarkable achievements of young African leaders across sectors.

Among this year’s celebrated awardees were:

• Angel Pooe – award-winning mentor and voice in youth development

• Amb. Dr. Atinuke Stanley-Pepple – Nigerian female pilot and diplomat

• Onyeka Chigbo – creative entrepreneur and former Big Brother Naija star

• Tiffany Miguel, founder of Splash Aquademy and a Chic-Tribe Spotted Sista known for championing water safety education

As one of the 2025 honorees, I Sarah Banda was proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with young Africans who are not just leading companies, but building communities and rewriting the rules of legacy. It was a powerful reminder that recognition comes with responsibility—and that we are, indeed, the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Our deepest appreciation to the Mayorkings Agency and Amb. Dr. Temisan Louis for their excellence in execution, vision, and the heart they pour into creating meaningful platforms like this. Their unwavering commitment to spotlighting Africa’s future is shaping more than headlines—it’s shaping history.

And perhaps most inspiring of all? Beyond the awards and applause, real connections were made. We witnessed the early stages of new cross-border collaborations forming among awardees, as well as investment conversations and opportunities sparked during the summit. These are the seeds that will bear fruit long after the cameras stop rolling.

At Chic-Tribe Digital Magazine, we’re honored to have been part of this defining moment. The Africa we want is not a concept—it’s being built every day by young visionaries like the ones we met in Sandton.

Stay connected with Chic-Tribe as we continue to spotlight these changemakers and share exclusive content from Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards & Summit 2025.