By Ebere Agozie
Dr Rasha Kelej, Merck Foundation CEO has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year as one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2025 by New African Magazine of UK, alongside the presidents of Angola, Ghana and South Africa.
The list of 100 Most Influential Africans 2025 is made up of prominent African Leaders in different sectors such as Public office, Business, Technology, Change Makers, Thinkers and Opinion Shapers, Creative persons and Sports persons influencing the communities and sectors with their inspirational work.
The special edition spotlighted individuals shaping Africa’s present and future and identified 2025’s human gems, leaders, innovators, and change-makers whose influence and impact continue to drive transformation across Africa and beyond.
Speaking about the recognition, Sen. Kelej said she was deeply honoured to be recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African (UK), and to be named alongside the esteemed leaders of the continent.
“This recognition is very special to me, as it acknowledges my continued efforts to build and strengthen healthcare capacity, empower women living with infertility, and support girl education through our Merck Foundation programs.
“It only encourages and motivates me and my team to strengthen our commitment to continue our efforts to create a lasting, equitable impact across Africa for generations to come.”
Kelej through her leadership has been running impactful programs such as their `Scholarship Program for Healthcare Providers’ to transform the patient care landscape and improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in Africa and beyond.
Her signature “More Than a Mother” movement that she created in 2015 has built quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Breaking the infertility stigma, raising awareness about infertility prevention and male infertility, and Supporting Girl Education.
Her `Educating Linda’ programme has also been supporting girl education as well.
Over the past 13 years, Kelej has worked closely with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” in their countries, to lead their programmes, and key partners including Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, the Academia, Policy makers, International Fertility Societies, and people in the media and art, from over 52 countries.
“I am delighted to share that we have provided 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
“I am proud that many of our alumni have become, or are on their way to becoming, the first specialists in their respective countries. We are building a lasting legacy in Africa.” She added.
Kelej has been working closely with partners to create a culture shift and transforming fertility care and women health landscape in public health nationwide in 42 African and Asia countries.
“We have provided, out of the 2500 scholarships, 770 scholarships for healthcare providers from 42 countries in clinical training for Fertility care and Embryology, and One year PG Diploma and two-year Master’s Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine.
“These specialists are critical to advancing quality and equitable women health in general, and reproductive and fertility care in particular.”
“Moreover, Merck Foundation has also supported childless women by helping them start their own small businesses through the “Empowering Berna” program.
“It is all about giving every woman the respect and support she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child”, she added.
The Merck Foundation CEO is a strong advocate for Education as one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.
The Foundation provided more than 1200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential.
The countries include Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe among others.
Dr Kelej is a trailblazer whose vision and dedication have transformed lives across Africa.
She is celebrated for her pioneering initiatives that tackle some of the continent’s most pressing social and health challenges like breaking the infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, gender-based violence & female genital mutilation, and advancing women’s empowerment.
Through her remarkable leadership, she has united the media, fashion, and arts communities to be the voice of the voiceless.
Her unique initiatives include a Pan-African TV program, Health Media Training; Annual Awards for best media, song, fashion design and film. Her awareness songs, children’s storybooks, and animation films have created a culture shift in communities.
She is a true visionary, who inspires and educates over 8.5 million social media followers, keeping them engaged with empowering and awareness content.
Her tireless commitment, innovative approach, and unwavering passion continue to reshape the social and health landscape, leaving a legacy of hope, empowerment, and progress across Africa.
