Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the chief executive officer of African Union development agency Auda-Nepad, has been named among Africa’s most influential 100 personalities, underscoring her outstanding leadership and coordination efforts in advancing the development agenda across the continent.
The London-based New African magazine on Friday released its annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields who have made a significant impact on the continent and the world in the past year.
Bekele-Thomas has been instrumental in guiding policy development and driving transformative initiatives across critical sectors, including health, artificial intelligence, agriculture, climate change, skills development, infrastructure development for energy, water, information technology and transport. Her leadership at Africa’s premier development agency has been pivotal in aligning these efforts with the vision of “The Africa We Want,” a strategic framework for achieving the continent’s sustainable development goals.
Bekele-Thomas said the recognition “is not just a testament to my efforts but also to the collective achievements of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD and our partners across the continent”.
“It is an affirmation of the progress we are making towards creating a united, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa. To be recognised among leaders who are driving meaningful change inspires me to continue working towards achieving ‘The Africa We Want’ and ensuring a better future for all Africans,” she said.
The New African list has become a hallmark for celebrating exceptional African talent, vision and influence.
As one of Africa’s most respected leaders, Bekele-Thomas’s recognition underscores the vital role of collaborative leadership in addressing the continent’s challenges and seizing its opportunities for growth and development.
Bekele-Thomas was in May 2022 appointed as Auda-Nepad chief executive officer, becoming the first woman to occupy that continental post.
