Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was among 12 young African leaders who got international recognition.
This was after The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) released its 2023 list of outstanding young people addressing the world's most pressing problems.
Apart from Sakaja, YGL also nominated another Kenyan Abdigani Diriye who is a co-founder, of Bloom Financial Technologies, Kenya.
“From courageous journalists uncovering the most critical political and human rights issues of our time to savvy entrepreneurs transforming the way we work with technology, this year's class is packed with brilliant minds and passionate leaders from business, civil society, academia, and government,” YGL stated while announcing the winners.
In his acknowledgement speech after the recognition, Sakaja revealed he was elated to be among a list of African visionaries.
“Honoured and excited to be nominated and selected by the World Economic Forum to be one among 43 Young Global leaders from around the world.
“This year’s cohort brings together leaders who are change-makers in both the private and public sectors,” Sakaja stated.
According to YGL, the 2023 cohort joins a group which is an accelerator for a dynamic community of exceptional people with the vision, courage, and influence to drive positive change in the world.
They recognized Sakaja for his work as Nairobi Senator where he served as the vice chairperson of the committee on National Security, Defense and Foreign Relations.
“We are aligned with the World Economic Forum’s mission, we seek to drive public-private co-operation in the global public interest," YGL's mission reads in part.
“We are united by the belief that today’s pressing problems present an opportunity to build a better future across sectors and boundaries,” YGL adds.
Currently, YGL has more than 1,400 members and alumni of 120 nationalities.
Other Africans who joined the elite club include; Roselyne Chambrier (Côte d'Ivoire), Kow Abaka Essuman (Ghana), Peace Hyde (Ghana), Aïssata Lam (Mauritania), Vukosi Marivate (South Africa), Oluseun Onigbinde (Nigeria), Walter Pacheco (Angola), Uche Pedro (Nigeria), Tokini Peterside-Schwebig (Nigeria) and Gregory Rockson (Ghana).
