CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign, Dr Rasha Kelej, has been recognised by New African Magazine (UK) as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2025.
This marks her seventh consecutive year on the list, which celebrates leaders, innovators and change-makers shaping Africa’s present and future.
Kelej shares this year’s recognition with prominent African figures including the presidents of Angola, South Africa and Ghana, João Lourenço, Cyril Ramaphosa and John Mahama respectively.
The magazine’s list spotlights leaders across sectors such as public office, business, technology, healthcare, creative industries and social impact initiatives.
Speaking about the recognition, Kelej said it acknowledges her continued efforts to build and strengthen healthcare capacity, empower women living with infertility and support girl education through Merck Foundation programmes.
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“It only encourages and motivates me and my team to strengthen our commitment to continue our efforts to create lasting, equitable impact across Africa for generations to come,” she said.
Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has launched programmes that have impacted millions across Africa and Asia.
Kelej highlighted some of the foundation’s achievements, including the provision of 2,500 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 said.
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The “More Than a Mother” campaign, a flagship initiative Kelej created in 2015, aims to break infertility stigma, improve reproductive and fertility care and support girl education. She explained,
“Through the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign, we have worked closely with partners to create a culture shift and transform fertility care and women’s health landscape in 42 African and Asian countries,” she said.
She further mentioned the foundation’s commitment to girls’ education, saying,
“In partnership with African First Ladies, we have provided year-to-date more than 1,200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential,” Kelej said.
Her work extends beyond healthcare and education to cultural and social advocacy.
Kelej has united media, arts and fashion communities to amplify awareness campaigns, including Pan-African TV programmes, children’s storybooks, awareness songs and annual awards for media, fashion and film.
“This recognition reflects not only my work but also the incredible efforts of my team and partners. Together, we are creating sustainable change and empowering communities to thrive,” she said.
Several Malawian journalists have won the awards, which come with monetary rewards of different amounts, certificates and medals, while several Malawian doctors have benefitted from Merck Foundation programmes and continue to do so.
