Africa’s Rising Icons: Future Awards 2025 Nominees Revealed

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) has unveiled its 2025 nominees, celebrating the continent’s most daring young talents in a record 25 categories. Announced on October 22, the list for the 19th edition under the theme “Threads of Legacy”.

The list features standouts like footballer Rasheedat Ajibade, entrepreneur Tomike Adeoye, and artist Uzo Njoku, among hundreds pushing boundaries in tech, arts, and activism.

This year’s expansion marks a milestone, splitting arts into dedicated literature and performing categories, adding performing arts for stage dynamos, and introducing an honorary nod to service for youth champions.

Nominees for this year’s event span the continent from Nigeria to Kenya and Cameroon. These include creators, innovators, and leaders whose work is not just flashy but foundational. The ceremony, set for December, will crown winners judged by a panel of African visionaries, ensuring picks reflect real impact.

Ayodeji Razaq, TFAA’s executive director, captured the vibe. “The story of Africa’s future is being written today, thread by thread, through the work of these nominees,” Razaq said. “They are artists, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, advocates, and innovators whose achievements do more than inspire—they create legacies that others can build on.”

Standouts include Rasheedat Ajibade (Sport) for her PSG prowess, Tomike Adeoye (Entrepreneurship) for her beauty empire, and Uzo Njoku (Arts) for bold visuals. In Technology, Kelvin Umechukwu of Bumpa rubs shoulders with Christiana Onoja of Shecode.ai. Music nods go to Nasboi and Darkoo, while the likes of Gbubemi Ejeye and Mr Macaroni are nominated for acting.

A Broader Canvas for Young Impact

The 25 categories, up from previous years, cover everything from photography (Ayo Makinwa) to governance (Otobong Bob) and agriculture (Basirat Abdullahi). New additions like Performing Arts hail Uganda’s Sheilah Gashumba and Poco Lee, while the honorary Service to Young People category honours comedy king Ali Baba.

This push reflects TFAA’s evolution since 2006, spotlighting under-31 trailblazers. Nominees were vetted for originality and reach, with public votes kicking in soon. The full list has over 200 names designed to showcase the great work being done by young, enterprising people on the continent.

As Razaq put it, “Each name on this list is proof that young Africans are not waiting for the future to happen; they are actively shaping it.” With categories like Young Person of the Year pitting Fola David against Kemi Olakunle, it promises to be an exciting race towards the awards ceremony in December.