The Forty Under 40 Awards took place in Accra, bringing together Africa’s top young entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators to discuss strategies for driving the continent’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
The event opened with remarks from Richard Abbey Jnr, who addressed “From Potential to Performance: Why Africa’s Next Winners Must Stop Explaining and Start Executing,” setting the tone for a day focused on action, innovation, and leadership.
Kris Senanu, chairman of BlackRock Capital, followed with a presentation on advancing Africa’s industrialization through value addition, policy development, and strategic implementation. Gertrude Emefa Donkor Esq. provided insights on industrialization and entrepreneurship, while Dr. Daniel McKorley offered perspectives on Africa’s path forward.
After a brief tea break, the program resumed with discussions on leadership and mindset. Richard Abbey Jnr returned to explore “Rebalancing Faith and Results,” followed by Dr. Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo on “Resetting the African Mind A Giant Step to Global Dominance.” A panel discussion facilitated by Apiokor Seyiram Ashong-Abbey addressed solutions to Africa’s economic and developmental challenges.
Cultural expression was also central to the event. A fashion show highlighted Africa’s craftsmanship under the theme “Fashion of the Five,” celebrating design and heritage across the continent. The program concluded with a session titled “Share Your Story, Inspire Generations,” facilitated by Angela Senosha, encouraging participants to leverage their experiences to motivate future leaders.
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The Forty Under 40 Awards in Accra emphasized a blend of entrepreneurship, industrial strategy, leadership mindset, and cultural pride, aiming to inspire Africa’s emerging generation to execute ideas, scale businesses, and assert the continent’s role in the global economy.
Background to the Forty Under 40 Awards
The Forty Under 40 Awards were launched to recognise and celebrate Africa’s emerging business and thought leaders under the age of 40 who are shaping the continent’s economic, social, and cultural landscape. Founded by Richard Abbey Jnr, the initiative aims to highlight young innovators who demonstrate exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship, and impact within their industries.
The program focuses on identifying individuals who combine vision with execution, emphasising not only personal achievement but also contributions to broader societal and economic development. Awardees are drawn from diverse sectors, including finance, manufacturing, technology, creative industries, and social enterprise, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Africa’s growth.
Beyond recognition, the awards provide a platform for knowledge sharing, mentorship, and networking, connecting nominees and participants with peers, investors, and policymakers across the continent. Annual events typically feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops that explore strategic solutions to Africa’s developmental challenges, as well as sessions on leadership, innovation, and industrialisation.
Cultural elements, such as fashion showcases and storytelling sessions, are also integrated to celebrate African heritage, craftsmanship, and creativity, reinforcing the connection between entrepreneurship and cultural identity. The initiative underscores the philosophy that Africa’s next generation of leaders must move beyond explanation to execution, driving tangible progress in business, policy, and social impact.
The Forty Under 40 Awards have rapidly grown into a high-profile continental platform, drawing participants from multiple countries and sectors, while promoting collaboration, skills development, and recognition of young talent as essential drivers of Africa’s future economic and social transformation.
