CEO of EbonyLifeGroup, Mo Abudu has been named one of the 2025 TIME100, annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes appear in the April 28, 2025, issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, April 18, and now at time.com/time100.
The list recognises the impact, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
Mo Abudu’s inclusion on this year’s list celebrates a dynamic career dedicated to reshaping the global perception of Africa through storytelling, enterprise, and advocacy.
An excited Abudu, said, “Being named to the TIME100 is both humbling and empowering. It’s a reminder that African stories — told authentically by us — have a rightful place on the global stage. I share this honour with every creative, entrepreneur, and change-maker who dares to dream big. I’m deeply grateful to my incredible team, my family, friends, and the stakeholders who have supported and believed in this journey from the beginning.
Their unwavering support fuels my passion. As I continue to push boundaries with bold initiatives, this recognition strengthens my resolve to keep building platforms that amplify African voices, shift narratives, and inspire the next generation of creatives to shape the future.”
Ghanina/Sierra Leone/ british actor, Idris Elba, whose Greendoor Pictures partnered with Mo Abudu to empower and uplift talent from Africa and its diaspora by creating new TV and film projects, giving testament about Abudu said, “Mo Abudu’s reputation precedes her. Anyone who has worked on anything relating to African film knows her.
I had been an admirer of her work for some time before I reached out to her two years ago to connect. Pretty quickly we were hatching a plan to collaborate on a film, which became Dust to Dreams. That’s the thing about Mo, she wastes no time. She has an infectious, can-do attitude and the tenacity to overcome any obstacle in her way.”
Elba added, “Her sprawling empire—from studios and productions to cinemas and a creative academy—is testament to that. Mo, who launched the $50 million Afro Film Fund last year, cares deeply about the African narrative, and how the continent and its people are portrayed on screen.
Anyone who wants to understand the filmmaking landscape in Africa—or anywhere else—could learn a lot from Mo, because she gets things done.”
