Gala honours young women driving impact

Winners of the 2026 edition of Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Women were feted onThursday with a call to leverage innovation, personal brands and influence to solve regional problems.

The 40 honorees were treated to a gala dinner at the Nairobi Serena Hotel, with a roster reflecting the philosophy of the awards, which seeks women whose ideas, actions and work are demonstrably impacting the nation.

Many of the young women professionals are emerging in the technology, medical and entrepreneurship space where they are seeking to tap markets that have previously been underserved, ignored or unknown.

NMG Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo said the Business Daily initiative, which spotlights young leaders and their potential to shape the continent, has grown into a powerful platform celebrating women in areas that will shape the future—including artificial intelligence (AI), climate and health.

“This evening we celebrate women working at the forefront of AI, agriculture, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, disability inclusion and entrepreneurship,” he said in remarks delivered on his behalf by NMG Chief Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Partnerships Officer Monica Ndung’u at the gala dinner.

Since its inception eight years ago, the awards have recognised more than 720 women, creating an influential alumni network of professionals, including top CEOs, driving change across industries.

Serrari Group founder and Managing Director Nancy Matimu was the chief guest. “Leverage the recognition and award you have been conferred tonight, use it to the maximum to strengthen your personal brand, to fortify your current summit and to launch your next summit of greatness,” she said.

It took the judges two sessions lasting hours to sift through more than 1,000 entries, interrogating 181 of them, scrutinising their backgrounds and comparing each with competing candidates ahead of the final list that unearthed unknown gems across industries.

Ms Matimu challenged the awardees to “carry leadership with glamour and pride” and not fear the responsibility that comes with visibility, saying their success would inspire younger women to pursue similar paths.

“Strengthen your personal brands through digital platforms because social media has become an essential tool for amplifying professional influence and opening new opportunities,” said Ms Matimu, who also sits in board of NMG PLC.