Africa's Young Economic Trendsetters of 2013

It can't be easy to start a business, ensure it's self-sustainable, profitable and endures through turbulent economic climates.

As 2013 starts to slip away and 2014 slowly approaches with hopes, dreams and aging :-) I have mixed emotions. I'm a 'born in 1984' creature so next year on the 4th of July I'll be 30.

When I saw '30 under 30 - Africa's Best Young Entrepreneurs' on Forbes Africa mag (Aug. 2013) I wanted the janitor at the airport to sweep me under the carpet as she went on with her business. Alright...maybe not, however I was most certainly inspired. This means I have exactly 10 months to...well...be one of Africa's best entrepreneurs.

Here's 30 Africans under 30 who make Africa's Best Young Entrepreneurs as per FA magazine. I don't believe that with this list Forbes Africa implies that it's a definitive list however, extensive research has been undertaken to compile it. Click on the company links - you too will be inspired.

In no particular order:-

Jonathan Liebmann
Age: 28
Company: Propertuity
Country: South Africa

Patrick Ngowi
Age: 28
Company: Helvetic Solar Contractors
Country: Tanzania

Lorna Rutto
Age: 28
Company: EcoPost
Country: Kenya

Lorna Rutto

Justin Stanford
Age: 28
Company: 4Di Group
Country: South Africa

Rapelang Rabana
Age: 28
Company: Yeigo Communications
Country: South Africa

Kimiti Wanjaria and Ian Kahara
Age: late 20's
Company: Serene Valley Properties
Country: Kenya

Evans Wadongo
Age: 26
Company: Sustainable Development For All
Country: Kenya

Evans Wadongo

Cosmas Ochieng
Age: 26
Company: Ecofuels Kenya
Country: Kenya

Eric Muthomi
Age: 26
Company: Stawi Foods and Fruits
Country: Kenya

Joel Mwale
Age: 20
Company: Skydrop Enterprises
Country: Kenya

Verone Mankou
Age: 26
Company: VMK
Country: Congo

Verone Mankou

Oluwaseun Osewa
Age: not indicated
Company: Nairaland
Country: Nigeria

Sandra Appiah and Issac Boateng
Age: 23 and 28
Company: Face2Face
Country: Ghana

Ashley Uys
Age: not indicated
Company: Real World Diagnostics and Medical Diagnostech
Country: South Africa

Ashley Uys

Thula Sindi
Age: 28
Company: Thula Sindi
Country: South Africa

Ola Orekunrin
Age: 25
Company: Flying Doctors
Country: Nigeria

Ola Orekunrin

Andrew Mupuya
Age: not indicated
Company: Youth Entrepreneurial Link Investments
Country: Uganda

Opeyemi Awoyemi, Olalekan Olude and Ayodeji Adewunmi
Age: not indicated
Company: Jobberman
Country: Nigeria

Opeyemi Awoyemi, Olalekan Olude & Ayodeji Adewunmi

Ludwick Marishane
Age: 23
Company: Headboy Industries
Country: South Africa

Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams
Age: not indicated
Company: Red Media/The Future Project
Country: Nigeria

Sizwe Nzima
Age: 21
Company: Iyeza Express
Country: South Africa

Sizwe Nzima

Mark Kaigwa
Age: 25
Company: Afrinnovator
Country: Kenya

Arthur Zang
Age: 25
Inventor: Cardiopad
Country: Cameroon

Farai Gundan
Age: not indicated
Company: Farai Media
Country: Zimbabwe

Farai Gundan

William Kamkwamba
Age: 25
Invention: Electricity-producing windmill
Country: Malawi

"They are solving problems such as healthcare and electricity shortages; proffering innovative solutions to waste management; building virtual and physical communities and creating many jobs. A few of them manufacture the foods we love; design exquisite clothing for our women and develop cool apps for mobile phones across Africa." (Forbes Africa, Aug. 2013, pg.18)

These entrepreneurs and businesses are so diverse - a testimony that there are plenty of opportunities.

To all of them - Thank you for the inspiration!