This is a first-of-its-kind Pan-African unranked compilation of the continent’s leading women, drawn from business, politics, media, science, sports and public life, who are challenging the status quo and creating a trail on terrain where there was none. They are reshaping history, closing inequalities and pioneering new avenues of wealth creation and in turn, lifting others with them.
Below is the full list.
- Winnie Byanyima, Uganda: Executive Director at UNAIDS
- Rebecca Enochong, Cameroon: Founder and CEO, AppsTech
- Irene Charnley, South Africa: Founder, Smile Communications
- Jennifer Riria, Kenya: Group CEO, Echo Network Africa and founding member, Kenya Women Finance Trust
- Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda: Secretary General, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
- Charlize Theron, South Africa: Hollywood actor
- Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa. South Africa: CEO, Naspers South Africa
- Wendy Luhabe, South Africa: Co-founder of WIPHOLD
- Angélique Kidjo, Benin: Four-time Grammy award winner and humanitarian
- Clare Akamanzi, Rwanda: CEO, Rwanda Development Board
- Lesly Kanza, Tanzania: Head of Africa and member of the executive committee, World Economic Forum
- Ibukun Awosika, Nigeria: Founder and CEO, The Chair Centre Group
- Judy Dlamini, South Africa: Founder, Mbekani Group
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria: Chair, board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South Africa: Executive Director, UN Women
- Waris Dirie, Somalia: President and Founder, Desert Flower Foundation
- Obiageli Ezekwesili, Nigeria: Senior economic advisor, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI)
- Glenda Gray, South Africa: President and CEO, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
- Ilwad Elman, Somalia: Founder, Elman Peace Centre
- Wendy Applebaum, South Africa: Founder and Chairperson, De Morgezon Wine Estate
- Folorunso Alakija, Nigeria: Executive vice-chair, FAMFA Oil
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Ethiopia: Founder and CEO, Solerebels footwear garden of coffee and Tefftastic
- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa: Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
- Wendy Ackerman, South Africa: Executive Director, Pick ‘n Pay
- Caster Semenya, South Africa: Olympic champion
- Rawya Mansour, Egypt: Founder and CEO, RAMSCO
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia: First female president of Liberia and Nobel Peace laureate
- Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South Africa: Musician and humanitarian
- Shale-Work Zewde, Ethiopia: President of Ethiopia
- Fatou Bedsouda, Gambia: Prosecutor, International Criminal Court
- Arunma Oteh, Nigeria: Academic scholar, University of Oxford and former treasurer and vice president, World Bank London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group Member
- Hajer Sharief, Libya: Human Rights Advocate
- Amina J. Mohammed, Nigeria: Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
- Precious Motsepe, South Africa: Founder, African Fashion International and Philanthropist
- Vera Songwe, Cameroon: Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Tara Fela-Durotoye, Nigeria: Founder, House of Tara International
- Theresa Kachindamoto, Malawi: Chief od Dedza District, Malawi
- Magda Wierzycka, South Africa: Founder, Sygnia
- Manal Rostom, Egypt: Founder, Surviving Hijab and face of Nike Pro Hijab
- Olajumoke Adenowo, Nigeria: Founder, Ad Consulting
- Uchenna Pedro, Nigeria: Founder and CEO, Bella Naija
- Lydia Nsekera, Burundi: President, National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Burundi and member of FIFA Council
- Thuli Madonsela, South Africa: Law Trust Chair, Social Justice Research at Stellenbosch University
- Fatma Samoura, Senegal: Secretary-General, FIFA
- Mamokgethi Phakeng, South Africa: Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town
