Open call: 2025 Forbes Africa Under 30 list

The call is designed for individuals under 30 years of age and from the following disciplines: creatives, business, technology, sport and science/health.

Previous recipients of Forbes Africa Under 30 Class ranges from Tyla to Davido, Vimbai Masiyiwa to Alex Mativo, Tatjana Smith to Faith Kipyegon, who have all earned a place on the list.

According to the organisers, the nomination process is rigorous, and those who progress to subsequent rounds will need to provide a police clearance certificate (PCC) or report from their country verifying they have no criminal record, no ongoing disputes or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of the country.

As an extra layer of verification, the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 team of curators and editorial research teams will also need a recommendation/reference letter from the participant’s financial institution (such as a bank) ensuring they are a legitimate business/brand deploying your funds responsibly.

“For the 11th year, we will sift through the nominations flooding our inboxes to discern the boldest innovators and leaders under the age of 30 in Africa today,” Forbes Africa Renuka Methil said. “They will need to prove what they are doing differently to make the cut as tomorrow’s titans and tycoons pushing the needle of development.”

Criteria for nominations and applications:

Creatives category

• Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2025.
• Must be from or based in Africa .
• Should be making significant earnings .
• Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years .
• Awards of any kind would be a bonus  .
• Social media presence will be taken into consideration.
• Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if the entrant is a creative applying under the Business/Technology categories. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older.
• All applications must be in English.

Business and technology categories

• Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger as on 31 March 2025.
• Should have a legitimate registered business on the continent.
• Business/businesses should be two years or older (entrants should ensure they have their audited financial documents for at least two years as well as their company’s registration documents; should they make the second stage, this will be required).
• The more innovative the business the better (as it contributes 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 2025.
• Must be representing an African team.
• Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years.
• Should have significant earnings.
• Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus.
• Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if you are a sportsperson applying under the Business/Technology categories. However, the business must abide by the same rules as under Business/Technology.
• All applications must be in English.

Health/science categories

• Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2025.
• 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 categories. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older.
• All applications must be in English.

Interested individuals should submit their entries here before 05 February 2025.

View the original call here.