On May 25 2022, on Africa Day at the Future Africa Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa, the second edition of the 2022 African Genius Awards took place virtually. The event was hosted by one of South Africa’s biggest media personalities Bongani Bingwa. 31 out of 69 nominations from 10 African countries made it to the final shortlist.
The top four participating countries were Sierra Leone, South Africa, Nigeria, and the USA, with common fields or skills being recognised in leadership, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. 11 Africans were awarded The Outstanding African Achievers For 2022 By The African Genius Awards Live Event In South Africa. Dr Rosaire Ifedi, a scholar, educator, associate professor of education at Ashland University and community activist who holds leadership positions in several academic as well as not for profit organizations was given the honour to announce the Outstanding African Achievers for 2022. But before that, in her speech, Dr Ifedi said it was a tough task to select the winners as all the nominees received are outstanding and change-makers in their respective countries. First set on the list of the awardees were the 2022 Outstanding African Achievers as 10 Africans were given the prestigious accolade. They are Dr Akniwumi Adesina from Nigeria; Dr David Moinina Sengeh from Sierra Leone; Dr Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Ms Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu from Ethiopia; Mr Joseph-Achille Mbembe from Cameroon; Mr Kelvin Doe from Sierra Leone; Mr Paulin J. Hountondji from Benin; Professor PLO Lumumba from Kenya; Mr Nana Kwame Bediako from Ghana; Mr Vusi Thembekwayo from South Africa; and MrRunice C.W. Chidibe from Nigeria.
Yesterday, the event started with a sterling performance from the Ovuwa UP Youth Choir, and an introduction of the speakers for the event was made by the host, Bongani Bingwa. Dr Sifiso Falala, founder of the African Genius Awards open the podium of speakers by recommending and appreciating the work of some of the amazing people behind the scenes who made it possible for the event to come to past – institutions and people like Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg; Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria; members of The African Dream Media; Plus94 Research; Priority Performance Project; Gordon Institute of Business; 702; University of Pretoria; University of Johannesburg; and many more.
The 2023 African Genius Awards, according to Dr Sifiso Falala, will be an in-person event, and the nomination portal will open in August 2022.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!