Dr Rasha Kelej Named Among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women for Seventh Consecutive Year
Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, has been recognised among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women for 2025 by Avance Media, marking her seventh consecutive appearance on the prestigious list.
The recognition highlights her sustained efforts in advancing women’s empowerment, promoting girls’ education and transforming patient care systems across the continent. She was listed alongside prominent African leaders, including Samia Suluhu Hassan and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Speaking following the announcement, Dr Kelej expressed gratitude for the honour, describing it as a reflection of the foundation’s continued commitment to improving healthcare capacity and supporting vulnerable communities. She said the recognition would further motivate efforts to create long-term impact across Africa.
Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has implemented a range of high-impact initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare systems and addressing social challenges. These include a scholarship programme that has supported more than 2,500 healthcare professionals across 52 countries in critical and underserved medical fields.
Dr Kelej is also the driving force behind the “More Than a Mother” campaign, launched in 2015, which seeks to break the stigma surrounding infertility while improving access to reproductive and fertility care. In addition, the “Educating Linda” programme has supported over 1,200 underprivileged girls across Africa by providing scholarships and essential learning materials.
The foundation’s initiatives have contributed to addressing specialist shortages in several countries, with some beneficiaries becoming the first experts in fields such as oncology, fertility care and intensive care medicine.
Beyond healthcare, Dr Kelej has championed the use of media, fashion and the arts as tools for advocacy. Through initiatives such as the “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” television programme, as well as awareness songs, children’s books and films, she has promoted dialogue on issues including gender-based violence, child marriage and non-communicable diseases.
The annual Avance Media list celebrates African women whose leadership and influence continue to shape policy, innovation and development across sectors. Dr Kelej’s repeated recognition underscores her growing impact in advancing health, education and social change across the continent.
