Who Is Rapelang Rabana
Rapelang is an internationally celebrated technology entrepreneur and education advocate, renowned for her transformative impact across the telecommunications, education, and financial services sectors. A globally respected thought leader, she has been featured on the cover of Forbes Africa before the age of 30, named a Fast Company Maverick, recognised as Entrepreneur for the World by the World Entrepreneurship Forum, and selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (2017).
She is the Founder and Chair of Rekindle Learning, an innovative learning technology company that develops intelligent learning solutions to improve outcomes for businesses and educational institutions. Rekindle Learning was profiled in McKinsey’s Lions Go Digital report as a standout innovation in mobile learning. Rapelang is also a Partner at private equity firm, Nisela Capital.
From launching her first startup, Yeigo, straight out of university, to serving as Chief Digital Officer at one of South Africa’s largest IT companies, Rapelang has accumulated over 13 years of experience building and scaling technology ventures. She currently serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Entrepreneurship and sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Education Trust and Imagine Worldwide. A sought-after speaker on both local and international stages, she has shared platforms with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell.
Rapelang holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Computer Science Honours) from the University of Cape Town, equipping her with both technical expertise and strong business acumen. Guided by the belief that there are smarter, simpler, and more effective ways to solve complex challenges, she continues to harness the power of technology to drive meaningful change.
Experience
Jul 2023 - Present
Feb 2021 - Present
Imagine Worldwide - Co-CEO
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana - Board Member (Non Executive)
Jan 2021 - Present
Jan 2021 - Present
Nov 2016 - Present
FFWD Innovation - Co-Founder and Partner
Norrsken Evolve - Co-Founder
Nisela Capital - Partner (Non-executive)
Dec 2015 - Present
Rekindle Learning Inc. - Founder & Chair
Nov 2021 - Dec 2024
GrindstoneXL - Venture Partner
Jan 2019 - Jun 2023
Imagine Worldwide - Executive Chair
Sep 2018 - Nov 2019
World Economic Forum - Member of Global Future Council on Entrepreneurship
Dec 2017 - Sep 2018
Jan 2016 - Jan 2018
BCX - Chief Digital Officer
Meniko Records Management Services - Member of the Board
Jan 2015 - Dec 2017
Oct 2014 - Oct 2016
Jul 2013 - Jul 2016
Mar 2013 - Sep 2013
Jun 2011 - Nov 2016
Jan 2009 - Dec 2012
Morofin - Member of the Board
World Economic Forum - Member
Curator & Member - Global Shapers Community
TEDxCapeTown - Speaker
Generation Ubuntu - Member of the Board
Curator & Member - Global Shapers Community
Jun 2005 - Dec 2012
Yeigo Communications - Co-Founder and Chief Executive
Media Room





Achievements
Forbes Africa Cover (Before 30)
Forbes 30 Under 30 – Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs
Choiseul 100 Africa
United Nations World Youth Summit Awards Juror
Harambe Entrepreneur
Endeavor High-Impact Entrepreneur
Oprah Magazine O Power List

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