Dr Rasha Kelej Named Among 100 Most Impactful Voices 2026 for Africa
Dr Rasha Kelej has been named among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa, a recognition celebrating influential women of African descent driving social change and community impact across the continent.
The list, released on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, features women leaders and changemakers from 54 African countries, including the President of Tanzania, highlighting voices contributing to development, empowerment and social transformation.
Dr Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, has received multiple international accolades in recent years, including recognition among the “100 Most Influential Africans 2025” and “100 Most Influential African Women” by Avance Media for seven consecutive years.
Expressing her appreciation, Dr Kelej said the recognition reflects years of work focused on strengthening healthcare systems, empowering women, and supporting girls’ education across Africa and beyond.
She noted that the Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare professionals from over 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties, helping to improve access to quality healthcare services.
Dr Kelej is also the founder of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, which seeks to challenge infertility stigma and empower women through education, healthcare access and social inclusion. The initiative is implemented in partnership with more than 33 First Ladies across Africa and Asia.
Beyond healthcare, the foundation has supported more than 1,200 scholarships annually for underprivileged but high-performing African schoolgirls across 19 countries, aiming to promote education and long-term empowerment.
The foundation also runs several awareness programmes, including media training, storytelling initiatives, songs, animation films and a Pan-African television programme designed to address social and health issues such as gender-based violence, diabetes and cancer awareness.
Organisers of the recognition said the award celebrates women whose leadership continues to shape conversations on health, education and social development across Africa.
Dr Kelej dedicated the recognition to all women working to create positive change, saying collective effort remains key to transforming communities and improving lives.
