TOP Zimbabwean financial adviser Rufaro Nyakatawa has been nominated for the presitigious African Genius Awards (AGA), which recognise individuals for their outstanding contributions to Africa’s advancement and global influence.
According to the organisers of the AGA, Nyakatawa is a respected figure in the financial industry, serving as Business Development Consultant (Africa) for Jersey Finance and Founding Director of RDK Capital Consulting.
With over 20 years of experience, Nyakawa is a Certified Financial Planner and Trust and Estate Practitioner.
She authored “Doing Business in Africa” and is a sought-after international speaker, with appearances on BBC, CNBC, and more.
Nyakawa also volunteers as a non-executive director at the Financial Planning Institute and advises Women in Tech and the Cherie Blair Foundation.
In a statement recently, organisers of AGA said the awards were established to honour brilliance, innovation and excellence, adding the AGA showcased the remarkable achievements of Africans across diverse fields, demonstrating the continent’s wealth of talent and potential.
“The AGA serves as a platform to celebrate and amplify the voices of African trailblazers, whose groundbreaking work is shaping the future of the continent and inspiring positive change worldwide.
“From innovative entrepreneurs driving economic growth to visionary leaders championing social justice, AGA honours individuals who embody the spirit of African geniuses in their respective fields,” the organisers said.
- Zim consultant nominated for continental award
Keep Reading
They said this year’s nominations reflected AGA’s commitment to recognising excellence and fostering a culture of innovation and progress across Africa.
“The nominees represent a diverse spectrum of talent and expertise, highlighting the depth and breadth of Africa’s intellectual capital and creative prowess.
“The nominees for the African Genius Awards cover a wide range of areas and sectors, showcasing the incredible diversity of talent and expertise across the continent,” the organisers added.
“From groundbreaking scientific research and technological innovation to transformative leadership in business and social activism, the nominees represent a cross-section of Africa’s rich and varied landscape.
“Their contributions span fields such as healthcare, education, arts and culture, environmental conservation, entrepreneurship and governance, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of African genius.”
According to AGA founder Sifiso Falala, each nominee demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication and passion in their respective fields.
“Their achievements are a testament to Africa’s potential and serve as an inspiration to future generations of leaders and innovators,” he said.
The AGA Awards Day, scheduled for September 7, will mark the culmination of this year’s celebration of African excellence.
Among the nominees are John Amanam, a pioneering Nigerian sculptor celebrated for creating hyper-realistic prosthetic limbs for people of colour and Ibrahim Prizco Dainkeh, a distinguished Sierra Leonean entrepreneur known for founding social enterprises that focus on youth empowerment and community development.
Others include Hamis Kiggundu, a multifaceted Ugandan author, lawyer and businessman; Thakgalo Thibela, one of South Africa’s youngest medical doctors and Oluyinka Olutoye, a celebrated Nigerian paediatric surgeon known for his pioneering foetal surgery techniques.
Also on the list are Sizwe Mabizela, the vice-chancellor of Rhodes University in South Africa, known for his contributions to mathematics education and leadership in higher education and Stephen Wamukota, a young Kenyan inventor who gained international recognition for building a wooden hand-washing machine to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in his community.
There are more than 40 nominees expected to be honoured on the awards night in September.
