The Most Influential African Women initiative is an annual award and ranking scheme for women who have climbed the corporate ladder, started their own businesses, or have been at the forefront of decision making both locally & internationally. The women are chosen from various career backgrounds including diplomacy, politics, activism, entrepreneurship, business leadership and entertainment. Criteria for selection include: excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo and being an accomplished African woman.
Here are the top 100 most influential women in Africa.
No. | Name | Position |
1. | Agnes Binagwaho (Prof) | Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity |
2. | Agnes Kalibata | CEO, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa |
3. | Amanda Mukwashi | CEO, Christian Aid |
4. | Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E Dr.) | Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African Union |
5. | Amel Karboul (Dr.) | CEO, Education Outcomes Fund |
6. | Amina C. Mohamed (Dr.) | Cabinet Secretary, Sports, Culture & Heritage (Kenya) |
7. | Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) | Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations |
8. | Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh | Regional Head, IBM Africa |
9. | Angélique Kidjo | Musician |
10. | Anita Erskine | Founder, Anita Erskine Media |
11. | Anna Nimiriano | Editor-in-Chief, Juba Monitor |
12. | Anne-Marie Dias Borges | Presenter, BBC |
13. | Antoinette Sayeh | Deputy MD, IMF |
14. | Arikana Chihombori Quao | Activist |
15. | Aurélie A. Soulé Zoumarou | Minister, Digital Economy and Communications (Benin) |
16. | Ayisha Osori | CEO, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) |
17. | Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala | Vice President & CFO, AFDB |
18. | Bella Disu | Vice Chairman, Globacom |
19. | Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu | CEO, soleRebels |
20. | Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi | First Lady, Ekiti State |
21. | Chileshe Kapwepwe (H.E.) | Secretary-General, (COMESA) |
22. | Dorothy Tembo | Ag. Executive Director, International Trade Centre |
23. | Edith Yah Brou | Blogger |
24. | Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena | CEO, Puma Energy Africa |
25. | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf | Founder, EJS Center |
26. | Elsie S. Kanza | Head of Africa, World Economic Forum |
27. | Emma Lohoues | Actress |
28. | Emma Theofelus | Deputy Minister, Namibia |
29. | Esther Cobbah | CEO, Stratcomm Ghana |
30. | Fadumo Dayib | Politician |
31. | Faith Osier (Prof) | President, International Union of Immunological Societies |
32. | Fatou Bom Bensouda | Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court |
33. | Fatoumata Bâ | Founder, Janngo |
34. | Françoise Remarck | Chairman, Canal+ Cote D’Ivoire |
35. | Graça Machel | Founder, Graca Machel Trust |
36. | Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor | Minister, International Relations and Cooperation |
37. | Hajer Sharief | Co-Founder, Together We Build it |
38. | Hala Zayed (Dr.) | Minister, Health and Population (Egypt) |
39. | Halima Dangote | Executive Director, Dangote Group |
40. | Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu | CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation |
41. | Ilwad Elman | Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center |
42. | Irene Charnley | Founder, Smile Communications |
43. | Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) | Chancellor, Women’s University in Africa |
44. | Jewel Howard Taylor (H.E) | Vice President, Liberia |
45. | Juliet Ehimuan | Director, Google West Africa |
46. | Kamissa Camara | Secretary-General, Mali Presidency |
47. | Lalla Moulaye Ezzedine | Chairman, Bank of Africa Côte d’Ivoire |
48. | Laureen Kouassi-Olsson | Regional Head, Amethis |
49. | Leila Bouamatou | Managing Director, BANK OF MAURITANIA GENERAL |
50. | Linda Ikeji | CEO, Linda Ikeji Media |
51. | Louise Mushikiwabo | Secretary General, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie |
52. | Lucy Quist | Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Morgan Stanley |
53. | Lydia Nsekera | Member, International Olympic Committee |
54. | Magda Wierzycka | CEO, Sygnia |
55. | Maggie Kigozi | Chairperson, Africa Scout Foundation |
56. | Mamokgethi Phakeng (Prof) | Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town |
57. | Mansa Nettey | CEO, StanChart Ghana |
58. | Martine Coffi-Studer | Chairperson, Bolloré Transport & Logistics |
59. | Massogbè Touré | CEO, SITA S.A |
60. | Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (Dr) | Regional Director for Africa, WHO |
61. | Melene Rossouw | Founder, Women Lead Movement |
62. | Mimi Kalinda | CEO, Africa Communications Media Group |
63. | Monica Geingos (H.E) | First Lady, Republic of Namibia |
64. | Nana Asantewa Afadzinu | Executive Director, WASCI |
65. | Nathalie Akon Gabala | Regional Head, Mastercard Foundation |
66. | Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli | Founder, LEAP Africa |
67. | Ngozi Okonjo Iweala | Board Chair, Gavi Alliance |
68. | Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa | CEO, Bidvest Group |
69. | Olajumoke Adenowo | Founder, AD Consulting |
70. | Oumou Sangaré | Musician |
71. | Owen Omogiafo | CEO, Transcorp Group |
72. | Patricia Obo-Nai | CEO, Vodafone Ghana |
73. | Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr) | Executive Director, UN Women |
74. | Racheal Njoroge | Managing Director, Cummins |
75. | Rachel Sibande (Dr) | Founder, mHub |
76. | Rasha Kelej (Dr) | CEO, Merck Foundation |
77. | Rawya Mansour | Founder, RAMSCO |
78. | Raychelle Omamo | Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Affairs (Kenya) |
79. | Rita Bissoonauth | Head, AU International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education |
80. | Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) | President, Ethiopia |
81. | Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey | Minister, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Ghana) |
82. | Sinach | Musician |
83. | Sisi Ntombela | Premier, Free State (South Africa) |
84. | Snowy Khoza (Dr) | CEO, Bigen Africa |
85. | Soham El Wardini | Mayor, Dakar |
86. | Sola David-Borha | Group CEO, Standard Bank Africa |
87. | Stella Nyanzi (Dr.) | Convenor, Women’s Protest Uganda |
88. | Sylvia Mulinge | Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom |
89. | Temie Giwa-Tubosun | Founder, LifeBank |
90. | Toyin Sanni | CEO, Emerging Africa Capital |
91. | Toyin Saraki | Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa |
92. | Uche Pedro | Founder, BELLANAIJA |
93. | Vera Daves De Sousa | Minister, Finance (Angola) |
94. | Vera Songwe (Dr) | Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa |
95. | Wala’a Essam Al-Boushi | Minister, Youth and Sport (Sudan) |
96. | Wanjira Mathai | Vice President & Regional Director for Africa, World Resources Institute |
97. | Winnie Byanyima | Executive Director, UNAIDS |
98. | Yemi Alade | Musician |
99. | Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr | Mayor, Freetown |
100. | Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed | Minister, Finance (Nigeria) |
