Edd Branson joins the league of Sadio Mane

H-Metro Reporter

Zimbabwean international diplomat Edd Branson has joined the extraordinary league of Africa’s sons and daughters after he was ranked as the 3rd African Trailblazer behind Sadio Mane and Rasha Kelej of Egypt.

Branson was recognised for his investment promotion and philanthropic work which got him a certificate of recognition from the Mayor of New York Eric Adams.

The African Trailblazer Awards were announced on Forbes Africa’s media platforms and are scheduled to be held in South Africa on Africa day which falls on May, 25, 2023.

Branson is set to be honoured alongside Saulos Chilima of Malawi, Jito Kayumba of Zambia, Ashatu Kijaji of Tanzania among 50 other African Trailblazers.

Ambassador Branson is recognised as a rising star of the African Continent after he was also elected to serve as Chairman of the New York, Wallstreet based Afri-USA Business Initiative which is a platform that facilitates and promotes US – Africa trade.

Former Zambian Vice President Nevers Mumba joined several leaders and African celebrities in congratulating Edd Branson and others.

Popular South African actress Samela Tyelbooi who plays Ayanda Majola in Generations on SABC1 also congratulated Edd Branson and wished him well in his endeavours.

Below is the list:

1.Sadio Mane – Senegal football, community development

A former Liverpool superstar who now plays for Bayern Munich has built a hospital, school

and initiated projects to help the people of Senegal.

2. Rasha Kelej – Egypt , Women Empowerment. Appointed to Egyptian senate and a Member of

human resources science and technology cluster of African Union ECOSOCC economy, social

and cultural council ECOSOCC

3. Ambassador Dr. Edd Branson – Zimbabwe, citizen diplomacy and investment. He received a

certificate of recognition from New York Mayor Eric Adams for his philanthropic work in New

York and across the globe.

4. Mamadou Kwidjim Toure – Mali – Founder Africa 2.0 , CEO Ubuntu investment advisory
5. Victorie Tomegah Dogbe – Togo , Prime Minister. First female Prime Minister of Togo.
6. Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy) – Nigeria, Music
7. Catherine Mahugu – Kenya, Entrepreneur, software engineer and change maker
8. Caroline Abel – Seychelles, Finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles
9. Mamokgethi Phakeng – South Africa, Professor of Mathematics and UCT Vice Chancellor
10. Talib Bensouda – The Gambia , Politics. He is the youngest Mayor of the Kanifing municipal

Council. He has initiated several community development projects in partnership with

several international organisations.

11. Sangu Delle – Ghana , Investor, clean water, MD at Africa Health Holdings
12. Makda Dejene – Ethiopia, activist
13. Dr Monde Muyangwa – Zambia, APPOINTED USAID Administrator for Africa
14. Dr. Ashatu Kijaji – Tanzania , Academic and Minister Industry , Trade and Investment
15. Rebecca Enonchong – Cameroon , Tech Entrepreneur
16. Othman Laraki – Morocco -Genomics
17. Emma Theofelus – Namibia , minister, youth activist
18. Wanuri Kahiu – Kenya, film
19. Titi Akinsami – Nigeria , Digital policy
20. Fifi Peters – South Africa, Financial journalist
21. Abdallah Bin Bayyah – Mauritania , Islamic Scholar
22. Saulos K. Chilima – Malawi , businessman , Administrator and Vice President
23. Lydie Hakizimana -Rwanda, Education
24. Fatoumata Ba – Senegal , Tech-entrepreneur
25. Jito Kayumba – Zambia , Investment Advisory
26. Sibu Mabhena – South Africa ,Media
27. Priscilla Tatenda Matsambire, Zimbabwe , Fashion, Finance
28. Miriam Chabi Talata – Benin , Vice-president
29. Zainab Bangura – Sierra Leone, diplomat
30. Kemo Bojang – The Gambia , Youth Activist
31. Lydia Nsekera – Burundi, Sports
32. Rokia Traoré – Mali activist
33. Regina Sikalesele Vaka – Botswana, Finance
34. Delphine Djiraibe – Chad, Lawyer
35. Zineb El Rhazoui – Morocco journalist
36. Halima Aden – Somalia, activist
37. Anita Annet Among – Ugandan Speaker of Parliament
38. Thando Hopa – South Africa, Model, lawyer
39. Waris Dirie – Somalia, author, activist
40. Tiguidanke Camara – Guinea, Mining
41. Souad Abderrahim- Tunisia, Mayor of Tunis
42. Jeanine Mabunda Lioko – DRC, Politician
43. Oluwasen Ayodeji Osowobi – Nigeria , Stand to End Rape
44. Maaza Mengiste – Ethiopia, Author
45. Stella Nyanzi – Uganda human rights activist
46. Amina Ali Nkeki – Nigeria , Women’s rights
47. Dileita Mohamed Dileita – Djibouti, Politics
48. Noella Elloh – Cote d’Ivoire, Environmental photographer
49. Khaled Shady – Egypt, software developer
50. Jacky Ido – Burkina Faso Actor