Dr. Rasha Kelej Among 100 Most Influential African Women 2025

• Dr. Rasha Kelej listed among the 100 Most Influential African Women 2025
• This is her seventh consecutive year on the list
• She is listed along with prominent leaders of African countries such as Tanzania and Namibia, who hold presidential positions

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the More Than a Mother initiative have been named one of the 100 most influential African women of 2025 for the seventh year in a row, according to Avance Media.

This honor is also a recognition from New African Magazine (UK) of Dr. Rasha's place in the Top 100 Most Influential Africans of 2025.

Amongst the names on the 2025 list were many other recognised female(s), including H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; and H.E. Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia, as well as other African political leaders.

Honorees are women whose contributions to the African continent are considered by their peers to have a significant and continuing influence on decision-making at both local and international levels, in leadership and achievement.

She expressed her appreciation for the honor received and miracles that the Merck Foundation has had on the empowering of women and healthcare.

She pointed out the significance of empowering women experiencing infertility, focusing on girls' education, and improving healthcare throughout the African continent.

Under her leadership, Merck Foundation achieved great things, including the development of the Scholarship Program for Healthcare Providers to facilitate the increase of access to healthcare in Africa.

Furthermore, Merck Foundation launched the "More Than a Mother" campaign to overcome the stigma of infertility and improve reproductive health. In addition, the "Educating Linda" Program helps to support education for girls in Africa.

The Merck Foundation's dedication to empowering women in the healthcare sector is evident in their 2,500 scholarships awarded thus far — nearly 1,200 of which are for female applicants.

The foundation recognizes outstanding female researchers and young scientist winners each year through MARS Awards with a focus on women's health and reproductive health.

Dr Rasha has provided over 1,200 girls with scholarships through the "Educating Linda" program to support completion of an education and to allow for developments of them.

In addition, she is known for her creative approach to social advocacy for such issues as infertility stigma; child marriage; gender violence; and health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.

She created the pan-African television program “Our Africa by the Merck Foundation” using fashion and the arts as tools to increase awareness of social and health issues. The program is available throughout Africa (television) and online (various social media).