By Staff Reporter
No African Genius or African Genius Laureate was selected for 2026. The Awards instead celebrates the nominees, the 19 who qualified for final consideration, and the four exceptional Africans who reached the final stage…
The African Genius Awards (AGA) celebrates the Africans whose work was considered in its 2026 awards process. No candidate met the standard for recognition as an African Genius or African Genius Laureate this year.
The Awards thanks the nominators, researchers and independent adjudicators who contributed their time, expertise and judgement. It also recognises every person whose work was nominated.
The 2026 selection journey
1. Nominations received: 59 Africans were nominated from across the continent.
2. Qualified for final consideration: After screening, verification and research, 19 nominees from eight countries advanced to independent adjudication.
3. Reached the final stage: Four people scored between 80% and 89%. They are recognised as the 2026 AGA Nominees or Exceptional Africans—the category immediately below African Genius Laureate.
4. Laureate outcome: No nominee reached the 90% threshold required to be named an African Genius Laureate in 2026.
The 19 qualifying nominees represented medicine, science and technology, education, entrepreneurship, academia, the creative industries, leadership and social development. They were assessed against the AGA criteria for exceptional contribution, problem-solving, organising for success, patriotism, self-love and global competitiveness.
The four exceptional Africans
The four exceptional Africans who reached the final stage of the 2026 African Genius Awards process.
The four candidates who reached the final stage of consideration are:
• Dr Olawale Sulaiman — Nigeria
• Norah Kimathi — Kenya
• Dr Divine Simbi Ndhlukula — Zimbabwe
• William Kamkwamba — Malawi
They remain eligible for future consideration for African Genius Laureate status if they later meet the required standard.
CEO Perspective
“Although no African Genius Laureate was selected in 2026, the process revealed an extraordinary range of African talent. We celebrate all who were nominated, the 19 who qualified for final consideration, and especially the four exceptional Africans who reached the final stage. Their work shows what Africans can achieve through knowledge, courage and creativity.”
– Dr Sfiso Falala, CEO
Profiles of the four finalists
| DR OLAWALE SULAIMAN — NIGERIA Neurosurgeon | Healthcare Leader | Academic | Philanthropist Dr Olawale Sulaiman is a neurosurgeon, academic and healthcare executive. As Founder and CEO of RNZ Global, he combines specialist medical expertise with initiatives that improve access to care, strengthen surgical capacity and expand medical training in Nigeria. |
| DR DIVINE SIMBI NDHLUKULA — ZIMBABWE Entrepreneur | Business Leader | Author | Philanthropist Dr Divine Simbi Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services and built it into a major Zimbabwean business. Her wider work supports job creation, women’s economic participation, agriculture, education and philanthropy. |
| WILLIAM KAMKWAMBA — MALAWI Inventor | Engineer | Author | Social Entrepreneur William Kamkwamba is known for building an electricity-producing windmill from locally available materials as a teenager. Through the Moving Windmills Project, he now supports community solutions in education, clean water, renewable energy and youth innovation. |
Continuing the journey
The 2026 process demonstrates that AGA recognition is based on a demanding standard. The Awards will continue to identify, assess and celebrate Africans whose work advances the continent.
By recognising the full field of nominees, the 19 who qualified for final consideration and the four finalists, the AGA gives deserving African achievement a credible continental platform.
Africa’s greatest resource is its people and what they can achieve.