Rwandan international referee Mukansanga Salima wins the forty under 40 africa award for outstanding work in Africa.

On the night of this Sunday, March 26, 2023, South Africa held an award ceremony for Africans under the age of 40 who have done outstanding work in 2022, where they are awarded in various categories including trade, investment, sports, and ‘other categories.

Mukansanga Salima Rhadia is one of Rwanda’s relevant icons, particularly in sports

Mukansanga was an official at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. In 2022, She became the first woman to referee at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Olympics 2022, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Africa Women Cup of Nations and CAF Women’s Champions League are among other tournaments that she previously handled.

In 2022, the 34-year-old was one of six women referees selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar. She was the fourth official when France defeated Australia 4–1 during the group stages.

She is also among four African referees selected to officiate the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.

The award becomes Mukansanga’s second prize in the month of March after she was presented with the 2023 FORBES Woman Africa Sports Award in a colourful awarding ceremony held in Pretoria, South Africa on March 8.

The Rwandan referee was also listed among the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 100 Africa Influential Women in 2022.

After all of this, Mukansanga Salima was elected after others in the election, based on both internet and electoral council votes.

Mukansanga Salima expressed gratitude everyone who helped her after receiving this annual award. She stated, “I am overjoyed to have won this award, and I am pleased with how I went about it. I did not do it alone, as I have many people who support me both on and off the field. I want to thank all of you who supported me, I’m proud of this award.”

Mukansanga Salima was competing against other athletes:
Amine Zariat (Tibu Africa) Morocco
Mmabatho Langa (Mmabatho Langa physiotherapy) South Africa
Dr Koketjo Tsebe (Unisa) South Africa

Voting for candidates started on October 24 and ended on December 16, 2022. Voting for the nominees started on January 10 and ended on February 28.

The Forty Under 40 Africa Award is an award given to Africans under the age of 40 working in business, focusing on business growth and self-employment, who have achieved success by working hard and doing it at a young age.

Entrants must be born in one of the 55 countries of the African continent and must be under 40 years of age at the time of awarding the prize.