In a world often dominated by conversations about power, politics, and profit, one African woman is choosing a different path. Simi Nwogugu, the CEO of JA Africa, is not just leading an organization. She is inspiring a movement. Her newest campaign, 10MAG, aims to equip ten million African girls with the tools they need to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and global changemakers. It is an ambitious effort, not only for the continent but for the world.
10MAG stands for the 10 Million African Girls campaign. Launched in March 2025, the initiative is designed to significantly reduce the opportunity gap for girls across Africa by 2050. Nwogugu and her team intend to reach this goal through targeted programs that teach entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, and advocacy. These programs are already in motion, with the first group of 52 girls from seven African countries graduating from JA Africa’s LEAD Camp in Accra earlier this year.
But what makes 10MAG especially impactful is its understanding that this is not just about Africa. It is about the world. As global markets continue to shift and countries everywhere face labor shortages, rising inequality, and climate disruption, the role of African youth is becoming increasingly central to the future of the global economy. Africa is the fastest-growing population on the planet, and by 2050, one in four people is expected to be African. Ensuring girls have access to quality education and economic opportunity is not only morally important, it is increasingly recognized as strategically beneficial.
Nwogugu has long appreciated the power of education to influence the trajectory of lives and nations. She first encountered Junior Achievement while working at Goldman Sachs in New York City. Moved by the organization’s commitment to youth empowerment, she left her job at 24 to bring the JA model to Nigeria. That single decision has now affected millions.
Under her leadership, JA Africa has expanded to 23 countries and reaches over one million young people every year. Through programs focused on work readiness, financial health, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, the organization builds real-world skills and economic confidence. With 10MAG, Nwogugu is focusing even more on the segment she strongly believes holds the key to Africa’s progress and the world’s prosperity: girls.
Girls in Africa face extraordinary barriers. In some regions, only one in three completes secondary school. Child marriage, adolescent pregnancies, and limited access to health care and technology keep many from realizing their full potential. Even those who manage to finish school often face an uphill battle in accessing credit, business opportunities, or jobs in the formal economy. In 2024, women-led startups in Africa received just two percent of available venture funding.
Nwogugu is working to change that. 10MAG is not a temporary program or charity model. It is a long-term investment in human capital. By focusing on mentorship, community networks, and ongoing support, the campaign aims to ensure that girls have access to more than just knowledge. They gain power. They gain voice. And they gain pathways to economic freedom.
What also sets 10MAG apart is its integration of sustainability and climate education. JA Africa has partnered with the UN Environment Program to train young people in environmental leadership. In a continent already experiencing the brunt of climate change, this knowledge is particularly important. Girls who learn how to build businesses and protect their environment are better equipped to create solutions that can positively impact their communities.
The ripple effects of this work could be significant. According to the World Bank and McKinsey Global Institute, closing gender gaps in Africa has the potential to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the continent’s GDP in the coming years. That economic gain will not be contained within Africa. As Africa becomes more integrated into global supply chains, innovation hubs, and markets, the world stands to benefit from a more skilled, diverse, and resilient labor force.
Simi Nwogugu’s leadership is being recognized globally. She is a Harvard Business School graduate, a recipient of the Africa Education Medal, and a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Yet what makes her remarkable is not just her resume, but her steadfast belief in what is possible when young girls are given a fair chance.
In her own words, “Africa cannot achieve its full potential if half of its youth population is denied access to quality education and economic participation. The goal of the 10MAG campaign is to galvanize action to equip our young women with the tools they need to contribute to economic growth and raise themselves and their communities out of poverty.”
That vision is already beginning to take shape. The girls of 10MAG are not just learning how to build businesses. They are building confidence, community, and capacity. They are becoming voices of change in villages, towns, and cities across the continent.
As the world confronts new economic realities, from automation to climate migration, campaigns like 10MAG serve as a reminder that the future is not written. It is built. And Simi Nwogugu is making sure that African girls are not just part of that future. They are leading it.
To support the movement or learn more, visit www.10MAG.org.
