Celebrating Excellence: AfBC UK Releases the 2024 Top 100 African Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders List

Light of Africa is thrilled to spotlight the prestigious annual AfBC Top 100 list, celebrating outstanding African business leaders and entrepreneurs in the UK across various fields and industries.

Last year, over 425 incredible individuals were nominated, making the selection process highly competitive. Each nominee was evaluated based on diverse criteria, including past and current achievements, inspirational stories, transformative impact, business growth, resilience, innovative leadership, and their efforts in breaking barriers and engaging their communities.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone nominated and those who made it onto the list. This recognition honours remarkable leaders and entrepreneurs who are shaping the UK’s economy with their professionalism, dedication, and positive influence. Their journeys reflect the strength and ingenuity of African excellence in business and leadership.

The AfBC Top 100 Initiative is more than a list—it is a platform to highlight, honour, and celebrate the exceptional contributions of African entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses. This initiative is a vital part of AfBC's mission to amplify African voices and drive inclusive economic growth in the UK.

To learn more about the AfBC’s mission and ongoing projects, visit AfBC Projects and Campaigns.

Let’s celebrate these inspiring leaders as they continue to drive change and inspire generations!

The 2024 Top 100 individual selections in no particular order are:

Philip Orumwense CBE - Director and Chief Technology Procurement Officer, Crown Commercial Service

Afua Kyei - Chief Financial Officer, Bank of England

Ibukun Adebayo - Managing Director, LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group)

Christopher Chijiutomi - Managing Director, Head of Africa, British International Investment (BII)

Harold Brako - Partner, Addleshaw Goddard

Cobus Visagie - Group CEO, Africa Merchant Capital

Olukorede Adenowo - CEO, FirstBank UK

Prof. Bola Owolabi - Director- Healthcare Inequalities, NHS England

Frances Mensah Williams CBE FRSA - CEO, Interims for Development

Joshua Siaw MBE - Partner, White & Case

Grace Ononiwu CBE - Director Of Legal Services, Crown Prosecution Service

Vanessa Kingori OBE - Managing Director, Technology Media Telecoms, Google

Tunji Akintokun MBE - Senior Director, Head of Enterprise Solutions, UK and Ireland, LinkedIn

Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE - CEO, GUBA Diaspora Network

Kai Ojo - CEO, Planisware UK&I

Dr Bola Abisogun OBE - Founder & Chief Excitement Officer, Digital Twin Skills Academy CIC

June Sarpong OBE - Founder, Diversify Work

Jeff Madzingo - CEO, Diaspora Insurance

Ade Rawcliffe - Group Director, Diversity and Inclusion, ITV

Sameh Shenouda - Chief Investment Officer, Africa Finance Corporation 

Lara Oyedele - CEO, Black on Board

Fungai Ndemera - Founder & CEO, CheckUp Health

Veronica Safoa Owusu - Founder, V-Power Coaching

Bayile Adeoti - Founder and Director, Dechomai

Prof Rotimi Jaiyesimi - Group Associate Medical Director for Patient Safety at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Fola Komolafe MBE - CEO, World Vision UK

Sharon Amesu - Director, SA Consulting

Mary Akangbe FAPH - Founder & President, Zenith Global Health

Lorraine Copes - Founder & CEO, Be Inclusive Hospitality

Cllr Leslie Ayoola - Founder, B-Global

Edgar Chibaka - Co-Founder & Executive Director, First Response Group

Beaulah M Chizimba - Founder and Mentor, Limitless Nurses

Dr. Elsa Zekeng - Co-Founder, SökerData

Cllr. Biyi Oloko - CEO, Stephen Simeon Limited

Gayle Meikle - CEO, Frontier Energy Network

Codilia Gapare - Founder and CEO, C-Lash

Kike Oniwinde Agoro - Founder and CEO, BYP Network

Patrick Nyarumbu MBE - Deputy CEO, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Cecil Adjalo - Co-Founder & COO, Foundervine

Charles Kwaku-Odoi - CEO, Caribbean & African Health Network

Yewande Akinola MBE - VP, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Dr Brighton Chireka - Founder and Medical Director, DOCBEECEE Leadership Academy

Joyce Onuonga - Managing Director, John White & Son 

Demi Ariyo - Managing Director, Lendoe

Bolaji (Lawal) Sofoluwe MBE -  Founder, Managing Director, ETK Group

EUR ING Patrick Obidoyin - Founder, Digital InfraCo (UK & Nigeria)

George Imafidon MBE - CEO, Motivez

Dr Olusola Idowu - Founder & CEO, Hexis Lab Limited

Izzy Obeng MBE - CEO, Foundervine

Oyinkansola Adebayo - Founder and CEO, Niyo Group

Adeola Adelakun - Director, Cultureville

Dr. Raphael Sofoluke - Founder & CEO, UK Black Business Show

Olusegun Akande - Director/CEO, S & T Enterprises Ltd (Samis Online African Foods)

Emmanuel Asuquo - Founder, OnestopSave.com

Conrad Mwanza - Founder, CMG International Media Group

Jabo Butera - Managing Director, Diversity Business Incubator (DBI)

Aggie Yemurai Mutuma FRSA - CEO, Mahogany Inclusion Partners

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE - Co-Founder and Chair, AFBE-UK Scotland

Gbite Oduneye - Founder and Managing Partner, ODBA

Senda Kavindele - Senior Partner, KPMG

Tippie Malgwi - Private Banker, Arbuthnot Latham & Co. 

Yetunde Hofmann - Founder and Programme Director, Solaris Executive Leadership Development Academy

Prof Erinma Bell MBE - CEO, Erinma Bell Ltd, CARISMA Ltd and Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester 

Ayesha Ofori - Founder and CEO, Propelle

Dr Chike Ify Okocha - CEO, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Ade Odunlade -  COO, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust 

Kash Balogun - Partner, Keystone Law

Leslie Owusu - Founder and CEO, Gazelle Global

Bola Oladimeji - Managing Director, The Wren Insurance Association Limited 

Obi James - Director, Obi James Consultancy Limited 

Dr Justina Mutale - Founder & CEO, Justina Mutale Foundation

Sophia Aluko - Transformation Director - Customer & Digital, Barclays UK

Segun Osuntokun - Global Senior Partner, BCLP

Nzube Ufodike - Founder / CEO, Amoo Venture Capital Advisory

Dr. Youmna Mouhamad - Founder & CEO, Nyfasi

Louisa Olafuyi - Co-Founder and COO, Kunda Kids

Yaa Ofori-Ansah - Founder and CEO, Talking Drums

Garth Dallas - Chair, The Liverpool Commonwealth Association

C. Sharma Rambocus - Managing Director - Head of Global Markets, Africa, Dinosaur Merchant Bank (DMBL)

Dr. Ibilola Amao - Principal Consultant/MD, Lonadek Nigeria Limited

Derrick Sanyahumbi - Consultant, Trade & Investment

Olrick-Anselme Olenga Disashi - Executive Vice President, Rimes

Shahid Sheikh OBE - Entrepreneur, Clifton Baba Foundation / Clifton Packaging

Dr Joanna Abeyie MBE - Founder and Director, Blue Moon & Partners

Eugene Nizeyimana - CEO, African Business Chamber(AfBC)

Mary Mosope Adeyemi - Founder, Visible Strengths Co. Limited

Adese Okojie - Founder & CEO, Black Women In HR - BWHR

David Olusegun - Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Creative Control Ventures

Ifeoluwa Ogunbufunmi - Founder & Chief Strategist, SWIF

Ngunan Adamu - Founder and Managing Director iWoman Academy CiC

Lorraine Sunduza OBE - CEO, East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)

Tommie Edwards FRSA - Co-Founder & CEO, Tech1M

Vanessa Boateng - Founder, Creations By Viva Skincare

Dr Mark Abayomi Esho MBE - Founder, Easy Internet 

Dr Ashiedu Joel - Founder and Director, Ashioma Consults Ltd

Farai Ian Muvuti - Founder and CEO, The Southern African Times

Samson (Olabamiji) Opaleye - Co-Founder and CEO, Applatch

Dr Salisu Uba - Founder and CEO, NatQuest

Lorraine Wright-Boateng MBE - Strategic Advisor, Lorraine Wright-Boateng Consulting

Ngozi Weller - Founder and Managing Director, Aurora Incorporated Limited

AfBC Annual African Business Awards and Gala 2025 will be held on Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 18: 00 - 23:00 GMT in London. Find more and register to attend