RAPELANG RABANA: ‘A 40 UNDER 40 CEO’ ACCELERATING EDTECH IMPACT & FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING ACROSS AFRICA

Rapelang Rabana is Driving Africa’s digital learning revolution and shaping the future of education through innovation and impact.

By Victoria Mgbanwa

Africa Learning Education Transformative leadership Technology Innovation.
Rapelang Rabana, CEO Rekindle Learning
Rapelang Rabana, CEO Rekindle Learning



From founding one of Africa’s first mobile VoIP startups to leading an educational nonprofit reaching hundreds of thousands of children, Rapelang Rabana exemplifies why startup ingenuity belongs at the helm of transformative leadership.

A Computer Science honors and M.Sc. graduate from the University of Cape Town, Rapelang co-founded Yeigo Communications in 2006, revolutionizing mobile voice technology in Africa. After leading R&D following its acquisition, she pivoted to launch Rekindle Learning in 2013, an acclaimed micro-learning platform hailed by McKinsey as a “striking innovation in mobile learning.”

Her digital leadership continued as Chief Digital Officer at BCX. But it is her current role as Co-CEO of Imagine Worldwide, scaling tablet-based literacy programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, that truly amplifies her impact. Under her stewardship, the nonprofit has expanded educational access to millions, securing government partnerships and broadening its footprint across Malawi, Ghana, and beyond.

Beyond her executive roles, Rapelang serves on education and technology boards and drives innovation through partnerships with V8 Capital, GrindstoneXL, and FFWD Innovation. Her recognition spans the globe from Forbes Africa’s cover to honors by the World Economic Forum, Oprah Magazine, the World Entrepreneurship Forum, and more.

Rapelang Rabana isn’t just scaling companies; she’s shaping the future of learning in Africa. Her blend of visionary ambition, strategic execution, and unwavering social purpose exemplifies the new wave of high-performing CEOs making real, inclusive change.

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