In Sub-Saharan Africa, women make up just 31.5% of researchers—a sobering number that underscores a persistent gender imbalance in the sciences. Addressing this disparity, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, for 15 years, has celebrated the brilliance of female researchers and inspired the next generation of scientists across the continent.
From December 9–11, 2024, I had the privilege of engaging with the 30 laureates of the 15th edition of this prestigious program. These women, representing 15 countries, were carefully selected from nearly 800 applicants, and embody intellectual rigour and unyielding determination. Their achievements reflect the transformative power of science in addressing pressing issues unique to the continent.
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards ceremony, held in Cotonou, Benin, spotlighted their accomplishments. Among the honourees were 25 doctoral candidates and 5 post-doctoral researchers, selected by a distinguished jury chaired by Professor Aggrey Ambali of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
A journey through discovery
On the first day, I met Magdalene Udobi, a PhD student at Covenant University in Nigeria. Her research on breast cancer explores a critical disparity: most treatments for African women are based on studies of populations from other continents. Magdalene’s work delves into the aggressive nature of breast cancer in African women, underscoring the need for region-specific therapeutic approaches. Her commitment is deeply personal—having battled her own health challenges as a teenager, she channels her passion into reshaping the future of cancer treatment in Africa.
Similarly, I was inspired by Matrona Akiso, a PhD student at the University of Nairobi. Her groundbreaking research on the interaction between HIV and the female genital mucosa has profound implications for vaccine development. In a region where women and girls account for 62% of new HIV infections, Matrona’s work exemplifies the life-changing potential of targeted scientific inquiry.
The weight of leadership
During an exclusive meeting with Alexandra Palt, Vice President of the L’Oréal Foundation, I gained insights into the program’s broader impact.
“I think it best to listen to the young talents because it is a program about individual women who can make and lead the change.” She shared. She refers to the survey conducted among former winners of the For Women in Science Young Talents in Sub-Saharan Africa award. It shows that 95.4% asserted that the For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Award has had a significant impact on their career progression. 91% specified that they gained greater visibility, and 94% confirmed that the award strengthened their self-confidence.
Speaking from her experience, Palt shares the need to accelerate women into leadership positions, “You need to understand how bias works in this society, how you have to overcome it, how to stay confident, negotiate, communicate, manage, and lead. And so for us (L’Oréal Foundation), it is very important, to share that experience and knowledge with young talents, so that they can gain years of fighting, and persevering, but accelerate their access to leadership positions.”
The award ceremony which took place later that night at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa was an immersive scientific and cultural experience. Guests had the opportunity to interact with the awardees through informational displays held in a lobby designed as an educational exhibit. It also allowed the awardees to share more details about their research and plans for the future. Each awardee exemplified the resilience and innovation required to solve some of the continent’s most complex challenges—from advancing renewable energy solutions to combating infectious diseases and addressing food insecurity.
Additionally, the award ceremony featured performances from local troupes and dignitaries of state, and peaked as each winner of the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents- Sub-Saharan Africa was called to the stage. The awardees are;
Southern Africa
- Hilja Eelu (Namibia): Enhancing the elimination of malaria in Namibia
- Bakang Kedumetse Kgasudi (Botswana): Creating more productive crops in Botswana
- Tendai Abgirl Makore (Zimbabwe): Improving food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe and Africa
- Natasha Onalenna Moraka (Botswana): Towards eliminating HIV in Botswana and beyond
- Pamela Ncube (Zimbabwe): Taking a novel approach to detecting animal tuberculosis
- Wellile Nwamba (Eswatini): Improving detection of tuberculosis outside the lungs
East Africa
- Matrona Akiso (Kenya): Providing insights to help develop an HIV vaccine for women
- Lexy Andati (Kenya): Exploring distant radio galaxies
- Melat Cherenet (Ethiopia): Exploring the benefits of medicinal plants in treating illness
- Kidan Gebreegziabher Gebremariam (Ethiopia): Advancing the performance of organic solar cells
- Ellasy Gulule Chimimba (Malawi): Empowering farmers to build climate resilience in Malawi
- Marie Andrea Laetitia Huët (Mauritius): Developing innovative biodegradable wound dressings in Mauritius
- Ruth Lorivi Moirana (Tanzania): Improving soil health and raising agricultural productivity
- Irene Nandutu (Uganda): Harnessing artificial intelligence to investigate child brain health in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Happyness Ngonyani (Tanzania): Promoting equal access to water in Tanzania
- Victoria Ngugi (Kenya): Exploring the role of aging in heart disease
- Mbithe Nzomo (Kenya): Harnessing artificial Intelligence to improve patient outcomes
- Sambatriniaina Rajohnson (Madagascar): Revealing how unexplored galaxies impact the universe
- Sarobidy Rakotonarivo (Madagascar): Empowering smallholder farmers and protecting biodiversity in Madagascar
- Jacquellyn Ssanyu (Uganda): Aiming at reducing teenage pregnancies in Uganda
West & Central Africa
- Marie-Marthe Chabi (Benin): Improving the quality of life among diabetes patients
- Juliet Edekor (Ghana): Conserving marine and freshwater fish in Ghana
- Joyce Etura (Nigeria): Enhancing maternal health in Nigeria
- Mary Idowu (Nigeria): Harnessing urban growth and climate insights to build farmers’ resilience
- Caroline Rosemyya Kwawu (Ghana): Turning sunlight into fuel: towards sustainable energy solutions
- Elisabeth Amelie Gladys Ngono (Cameroon): Preventing the spread of river blindness
- Opeyemi Ojueromi (Nigeria): Fighting malaria using natural products
- Blessing Enyojo Olagunju (Nigeria): Innovating to improve water quality in Nigeria
- Magdalene Udobi (Nigeria): Contributing to a better understanding of breast cancer
- Loukaiya Zorobouragui (Benin): Empowering rural communities to improve food security
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards is more than a recognition program; it is a beacon illuminating the path for women scientists across Sub-Saharan Africa. It celebrates not only what these women have achieved but also what they will accomplish as pioneers and leaders in their fields. Their work reminds us that empowering women in science is not just a matter of equity—it is an investment in the transformative potential of human knowledge.
