By Prince Kuripati
Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation and the visionary behind the “More Than a Mother” campaign, has once again been recognised among New African magazine’s 100 Most Influential Africans for 2025. The honour, announced in December by the UK-based publication, places her among an elite group of African leaders, including sitting presidents and prominent reformers shaping the continent’s future.
For Dr. Kelej, the recognition is less about personal acclaim and more about the collective progress being made in healthcare and social transformation across Africa. “I am deeply honoured to be recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African (UK), and to be named alongside the esteemed leaders of our continent, including the Presidents of Angola, Ghana, and South Africa, as well as many other change makers. Congratulations to all,” she said.
This marks the seventh consecutive year that Dr. Kelej has appeared on the influential list, a consistency that reflects sustained impact rather than momentary visibility. Under her leadership, the Merck Foundation has focused on long-term capacity building, particularly in countries where access to specialised healthcare remains limited.
“This recognition is very special to me, as it acknowledges my continued efforts to build and strengthen healthcare capacity, empower women living with infertility, and support girl education through our Merck Foundation programs. It only encourage me and motivate me and my team to strengthen our commitment to continue my efforts to create lasting, equitable impact across Africa for generations to come,” Dr. Kelej noted.
One of the foundation’s most far-reaching achievements has been the provision of 2,500 scholarships to healthcare professionals from 52 countries, covering 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. “I am delighted to share that we have provided 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. I am proud that many of our alumni have become, or are on their way to becoming, the first specialists in their respective countries. We are building a lasting legacy in Africa,” she said.
A significant portion of these scholarships has been directed towards reproductive and fertility care; areas often neglected in public health systems. “We have provided out of the 2500 scholarships, 770 scholarships for healthcare providers from 42 countries, of clinical training of Fertility care and Embryology, and One year PG Diploma and two-year Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine,” Dr. Kelej explained. She stressed that these specialists are essential to advancing equitable women’s health across the continent.
Beyond clinical training, Dr. Kelej’s influence is deeply rooted in advocacy. The “More Than a Mother” campaign, launched in 2015, confronts stigma surrounding infertility and childlessness, while also addressing male infertility and women’s empowerment. Working with more than 33 African and Asian first ladies as ambassadors, the initiative has partnered with governments, universities, medical societies and the media in over 52 countries.
The foundation has also extended its reach through cultural engagement from television programmes and fashion collaborations to children’s storybooks and animation films ensuring that health messages resonate beyond clinics and conference halls. Today, Merck Foundation initiatives reach an estimated 8.5 million people through social media platforms alone.
At the heart of Dr. Kelej’s work is a simple but powerful belief in dignity and choice. “It is all about giving every woman the respect and support she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child,” she said.
As Africa continues to grapple with health inequalities and social barriers, Dr. Rasha Kelej’s inclusion among the continent’s most influential figures stands as recognition of a model that blends technical expertise with human-centred advocacy. More importantly, it signals the growing importance of leaders who measure influence not by titles held, but by lives changed.
