By Elizabeth Angira
The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, has once again been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans for the year 2025. This prestigious recognition comes from the New African Magazine, based in the UK, which released its special edition featuring individuals who are shaping the continent’s present and future.
Dr. Kelej shares this high honor with prominent African heads of state, including the President of Angola, H.E. João Lourenço, the President of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, and the President of Ghana, H.E. John Mahama.
This marks the seventh consecutive year that Dr. Kelej has been featured on this list, a testament to her consistent impact across the continent. The 2025 list is made up of prominent African leaders from various sectors such as public office, business, technology, and sports, as well as change-makers and thinkers who are influencing their communities through inspirational work.
The publication’s collaborators spent the year identifying these “human gems” whose leadership and innovation continue to drive transformation across Africa and beyond.
A Heartfelt Recognition of Continued Service
Speaking about the achievement, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed her deep gratitude for being named alongside such esteemed leaders and change-makers. She noted that she is truly honored to be recognized by New African Magazine and extended her congratulations to all the other individuals on the list.
For her, this recognition is particularly special because it acknowledges her long-term efforts to build healthcare capacity, empower women, and support the education of young girls through the various programs run by the Merck Foundation.
Dr. Kelej emphasized that such honors serve as a great motivation for her and her entire team. She mentioned that the recognition encourages them to strengthen their commitment to creating a lasting and equitable impact across Africa.
Her leadership has been defined by a passion for reaching the underserved and ensuring that healthcare and social support are available to those who need them most, regardless of their background or location.
Transforming the Healthcare Landscape in Africa
Under the guidance of Dr. Kelej, the Merck Foundation has implemented several impactful initiatives, most notably the Scholarship Program for Healthcare Providers. This program has been a game-changer for the patient care landscape in Africa by improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions
. To date, the foundation has provided 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries, covering 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Many of the doctors who have benefited from these scholarships have gone on to become the very first specialists in their respective countries.
Dr. Kelej shared her delight in seeing these alumni build a lasting legacy in Africa. Out of the total scholarships, 770 have been specifically dedicated to fertility care and embryology, as well as advanced degrees in sexual and reproductive medicine, women’s health, and clinical psychiatry.
Empowering Women and Supporting Girls’ Education
Beyond healthcare, Dr. Kelej is the visionary behind the “More Than a Mother” campaign, which she started in 2015. This movement works to break the stigma surrounding infertility, raise awareness about prevention, and support women living with infertility.
Over the past 13 years, she has collaborated with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies who serve as ambassadors for the cause. Together, they have worked with ministries of health, education, and gender to create a culture shift and transform the lives of childless women in 42 countries.
The foundation also runs the “Empowering Berna” program, which helps childless women start small businesses so they can lead fulfilling lives with dignity. Furthermore, Dr. Kelej is a fierce advocate for education through the “Educating Linda” program. This initiative has provided more than 1,200 annual scholarships to high-performing but underprivileged schoolgirls in 19 African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania. By enabling these girls to complete their studies, the foundation is helping them reach their full potential and become future leaders.
A Visionary Using Art and Media for Change
Dr. Kelej has also pioneered unique ways to reach the public by uniting the media, fashion, and arts communities. She has used a Pan-African TV program, health media training, and annual awards for music and film to be the voice of the voiceless.
Her initiatives include awareness songs, children’s storybooks, and animation films that tackle tough issues like child marriage and gender-based violence. With over 8.5 million social media followers, she continues to inspire and educate a global audience, leaving a legacy of hope and progress across the African continent.
Elizabeth Angira is a trailblazing climate journalist whose work bridges science, policy, and human impact. As Senior Climate Reporter at The Mount Kenya Times, she leads in-depth coverage on climate resilience, energy innovation, and sustainability across East Africa and beyond. Her storytelling has earned international acclaim, including a third-place win for “The Best Energy Story in Foreign Media” by the Global Energy Association in Moscow.
Elizabeth’s portfolio reflects her commitment to excellence and advocacy:
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🏆 Awards & Honors
Anila Bukhari