For the first time, Forbes has compiled a Pan-African list of the continent’s most powerful women, derived from business, politics, media, science, sports, and public life.
These women, according to Forbes, 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.
The unranked list looked at Africa’s leading women across sectors and industries, as well as government agencies and non-profit institutions.
Here are Africa’s 50 most powerful women:
NAME COUNTRY TITLE
Graca Machel South Africa Founder, Graca Machel Trust
Clare Akamanzi Rwanda Ceo, Rwanda Development Board
Folorunso Alakija Nigeria Executive Vice Chair, Famfa Oil
Jennifer Riria Kenya Group Ceo, Echo Network Africa (Ena); Founding Member, Kenya Women Finance Trust
Louise Mushikiwabo Rwanda Secretary-General, organization Internationale De La Francophonie (Oif)
Aya Chebbi Tunisia Blogger And Africa Union Youth Envoy
Elsie Kanza Tanzania Head of Africa and member of the executive committee, World Economic Forum
Ibukun Awosika Nigeria Founder And Ceo, The Chair Centre Group
Dr. Judy Dlamini South Africa Founder, Mbekani Group
Charlize Theron South Africa Hollywood Actress
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nigeria Author, Public Speaker
Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa South Africa Ceo, Naspers South Africa Technology
Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili Nigeria Senior Economic Advisor, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative
Glenda Gray South Africa President And Ceo, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
Thuli Madonsela South Africa Law Trust Chair, Social Justice Research at Stellenbosch University
Wendy Luhabe South Africa Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder, Wiphold
Angélique Kidjo Benin Four-Time Grammy Award Winner
Manal Rostom Egypt Founder, Surviving Hijab and Face of Nike Pro Hijab
Lydia Nsekera Burundi President, National Olympic Committee (Noc) Of Burundi and Member Of Fifa Council
Winnie Byanyima Uganda Executive Director, Unaids
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Nigeria Chair, Board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi)
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka South Africa Executive Director, United Nations (Un) Women
Waris Dirie Somalia President and Founder, Desert Flower Foundation
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Liberia First Female President Of Liberia, Nobel Peace Laureate
Yvonne Chaka Chaka South Africa Award-winning Musician
Sahle-Work Zewde Ethiopia President of Ethiopia
Mamokgethi (Kgethi) Phakeng South Africa Vice-Chancellor, University Of Cape Town (Uct)
Rebecca Enonchong Cameroon Founder & Ceo, Appstech
Bonang Matheba South Africa MediaPersonality, Entrepreneur
Fatma Samoura Senegal Secretary-General, Fifa
Irene Charnley South Africa Founder, Smile Communications
Uchenna ‘Uche’ Pedro Nigeria Founder And Ceo, Bellanaija
Ilwad Elman Somalia Founder Elman Peace Centre
Wendy Appelbaum South Africa Founder and Chairperson,
De Morgenzon Wine Estate
Olajumoke Adenowo Nigeria Founder, Ad Consulting
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu Ethiopia Founder and Ceo, Solerebels Footwear, Garden Of Coffee, Tefftastic
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma South Africa Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa
Wendy Ackerman South Africa Executive Director, Pick ‘N Pay Caster
Semenya South Africa Olympic Champion
Rawya Mansour Egypt Founder and Ceo, Ramsco
Arunma Oteh Nigeria Academic Scholar, University of Oxford former Treasurer and Vice President, World Bank London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group Member
Fatou Bensouda Gambia Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (Icc)
Hajer Sharief Libya Human Rights Advocate
Amina J. Mohammed Nigeria Deputy Secretary-General, UN
Precious Motsepe South Africa Founder, African Fashion International
Lupita Nyong’o Kenya Oscar-winning Actor
Vera Songwe Cameroon Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Magda Wierzycka South Africa Founder, Sygnia
Tara Fela-Durotoye Nigeria Founder, House Of Tara International
Theresa Kachindamoto Malawi Chief of Dedza District
