Double Triumph: Refigah Heviweit Receives Doctorate and Distinguished Fellowship

Businessman and music mogul Yusuf Noah, popularly known as Refigah Heviweit, has added two more prestigious accolades to his already impressive list of achievements, reinforcing his status as a transformational leader in Africa’s creative and public administration sectors.

Refigah was recently conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) by the London Bridge Business School (LBBS-UK) in recognition of his outstanding achievements and dedicated service in leadership and creative entrepreneurship.

In addition to the honorary doctorate, he was also named a Distinguished Fellow of the Africa Institute (DFAI) by the Africa Institute of Public Administration (AIPA) in Ghana, a title that allows him to use the post-nominal designation DFAI. These honors were presented by Prof. Mahesh Pillai, Vice President at LBBS-UK, and Dr. Ben Nwankwo, Course Director at AIPA.

A Year of Accolades

This dual recognition comes on the heels of what has already been a landmark year for Refigah. In April 2025, he was among 36 influential leaders honored with the Paul Kagame Transformational Leadership Medal of Honour during the 10th Edition of AIPA in Kigali, Rwanda. The award, named after Rwandan President Paul Kagame, celebrates visionary African leadership and transformational impact.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Africa Institute of Public Administration, Transformation Leadership for Africa, and the H.E Paul Kagame Medal of Honour Committee for this esteemed recognition,” Refigah said. “It’s an honor to be among Africa’s greats… I am truly humbled.”

Earlier in the year, in February, Refigah was awarded the Global Change Makers Award in Malaysia, a distinction that recognizes strategic influence and innovation in Africa’s creative economy. Just a month later, he received the Kwame Nkrumah Medal of Honour in Accra, Ghana—another tribute to his Pan-African vision and leadership excellence.

Legacy in Music and Beyond

While Refigah’s recent recognitions celebrate his leadership in governance and development, his roots lie deep in the creative space. As the founder of Grandpa Records, he is credited with shaping East Africa’s modern music scene, nurturing iconic talent and transforming the region’s entertainment industry.

Beyond the studio, Refigah has emerged as a leading voice in institutionalizing Africa’s creative economy. One of his most ambitious projects is the African Creative Economy Database, a pioneering initiative aimed at generating reliable data for use by governments, investors, and policymakers. The goal: to position the creative economy as a key pillar of Africa’s economic growth.

Refigah’s ability to blend business, music, policy, and philanthropy has earned him continental and global admiration. As he continues to make waves, his journey stands as a powerful testament to African excellence, vision, and resilience.