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By Annoncita Byukusenge
When New African Magazine unveiled its prestigious list of the 100 Most Influential Africans 2025, one name stood out for its consistency, impact, and far-reaching legacy in healthcare and women’s empowerment: Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation.
Recognized for the seventh consecutive year, Dr. Kelej joins an elite group of leaders shaping Africa’s present and future, sharing the honor with African heads of state, including H.E. João Lourenço of Angola, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, and H.E. John Mahama of Ghana. The annual list celebrates trailblazers across public service, business, technology, social change, and the creative industries whose work continues to transform lives across the continent.
For Dr. Kelej, the recognition is both humbling and deeply personal. “I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African.”
“To be named alongside esteemed leaders of our continent is a privilege. This recognition belongs not only to me but also to my dedicated team and partners who share a common vision of equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.”
A Vision Rooted in Health and Humanity
As CEO of Merck Foundation and president of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, Dr. Kelej has spent more than a decade reshaping Africa’s healthcare landscape, particularly in areas long neglected or stigmatized. Her work focuses on building healthcare capacity, breaking the silence around infertility, and empowering women and girls through education and economic independence.
Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has awarded over 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries, spanning 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Many beneficiaries have gone on to become the first specialists in their countries, significantly improving access to quality and equitable healthcare.
“We are not just training doctors,” Dr. Kelej explained. “We are building a lasting legacy, one that ensures sustainable, specialist-led healthcare systems across Africa.”
Breaking Infertility Stigma, Empowering Women
Launched in 2015, the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” initiative has grown into a powerful pan-African movement. It addresses infertility not only as a medical condition but also as a social justice issue, challenging stigma, correcting misinformation, and advocating for women’s dignity regardless of motherhood status.
Through partnerships with over 33 African and Asian first ladies, ministries, academic institutions, international medical societies, and civil society organizations, the program has helped transform fertility and reproductive healthcare in 42 countries across Africa and Asia.
Of the total scholarships awarded, 770 have been dedicated specifically to fertility care, embryology, reproductive medicine, women’s health, psychiatry, urology, and family medicine fields critical to advancing comprehensive women’s healthcare.
Beyond medicine, the Merck Foundation supports childless women economically through initiatives such as “Empowering Berna,” helping them establish small businesses and achieve financial independence.
“It is about giving every woman the respect and support she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child,” Dr. Kelej said.
Educating Girls, Securing the Future
A strong advocate for education as the cornerstone of empowerment, Dr. Kelej has also championed girls’ education across Africa. In collaboration with African First Ladies, the Merck Foundation has provided more than 1,200 annual scholarships to high-performing, underprivileged schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their education and unlock their full potential.
These efforts span nations, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Liberia, Malawi, and many others, offering girls not just schooling but hope and opportunity.
A Leader Who Shapes Culture, Not Just Policy
What sets Dr. Rasha Kelej apart is her belief that sustainable change requires a shift in mindset. Under her guidance, the Merck Foundation has mobilized media, fashion, arts, and creative industries to amplify social impact. From pan-African television programs and health media training to awareness songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, and annual awards for journalists and artists, her initiatives have sparked conversations once considered taboo.
With a social media reach of over 8.5 million followers, Dr. Kelej continues to educate, inspire, and engage millions using digital platforms as tools for advocacy and awareness.
A Legacy of Impact
As Africa confronts complex health and social challenges, Dr. Rasha Kelej’s work stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership rooted in compassion, inclusion, and action. Her seventh recognition as one of Africa’s most influential figures is not merely an accolade; it is a reflection of lives transformed, systems strengthened, and futures reshaped.
In the words of many who have benefited from her work, Dr. Kelej is more than a leader; she is a force for lasting change across Africa.
