IWD2023: The 100 Who Inspire
In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to unveil our list of the 100 most influential women in Africa!
From trailblazers in tech to advocates for social justice, these women are changing the game and making a difference in their communities and beyond!
So join us in celebrating these phenomenal women and all the amazing things they’re doing – Happy International Women’s Day!
1. Sandra Amachree
Sandra is currently Senior Media, Brand PR & Sponsorships Manager at Nigerian Breweries Plc., where she is responsible for driving innovative and value-adding Media & PR communication management initiatives across the entire portfolio of 21+ NB brands. Additionally, she oversees Media Excellence management for two West African countries within the HEINEKEN International Group. With over 13 years of experience in the FMCG industry spanning Brand Marketing Communications, Sales, and Human Resources, Sandra is a versatile business leader passionate about building lasting relationships with people and leveraging connections to achieve successful business outcomes.
2. Josina Ziyaya Machel
She is a remarkable human rights activist from Mozambique who has been making a significant impact in the fight against domestic violence. Josina’s contributions to the global conversation on gender-based violence have not gone unnoticed, and in 2020, she was listed on the BBC’s prestigious 100 Women list. She is the founder of the Kuhluka Movement, an organization that seeks to end the stigma of domestic violence and provide support for its survivors. Through her work, Josina has become a powerful voice for change in Mozambique and beyond.
3. Dr Olufolake Abdulrazaq
She is a diplomat and the First Lady of Kwara State. Her husband, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s appointment as the Executive Governor of Kwara State has provided her with an opportunity to expand her humanitarian efforts through her position as the First Lady, as well as her personal initiative, the Ajike People’s Support Centre. With a carefully planned approach and a selection process that includes everyone, she aims to assist even more underprivileged individuals.
4. Olori Ivie Emiko-Atuwatse
She is the current Queen of the Warri Kingdom. She is a highly accomplished lawyer and social entrepreneur, as well as the wife of Ogiame Atuwatse III, who is the current ruler of the Kingdom of Warri and the 21st Olu of Warri. Olori Ivie Emiko-Atuwatse is the daughter of Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, a Nigerian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist.
5. Elohor Olumide-Awe
Elohor Olumide-Awe is a Portfolio Manager at Nigerian Breweries with over 12 years of experience in various aspects of marketing. She is a versatile marketing leader with expertise in Brand Campaign Development, Consumer & Market Insights, New Product Development, P&L Management, Project Management, Integrated Brand Communication, Digital & Data-Driven Marketing, and more. Elohor is known for her exceptional ability to manage large project teams collaboratively and identify high-growth opportunities to surpass targets and deliver outstanding results.
6. Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu
She is a Consultant Paediatrician and First Lady of Kebbi State who advocates for women’s health, particularly cancer. She is the founder of MEDICAID and also received her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria before going on to specialize in Paediatrics and Neonatology in the United Kingdom. She has been a driving force in promoting access to quality healthcare for women and children in her community.
7. Jumoke Oduwole
Oduwole currently holds the position of Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Ease of Doing Business in the Office of the Vice President. Prior to assuming this role in August 2019, she served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade & Investment (OVP) between November 2015 and May 2019. During her time in this position, she was instrumental in establishing the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN). Additionally, she was a member of the Technical Working Group of the Presidential Committee for the Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), where she worked on the Sub-Committee on Ease of Doing Business.
8. Onyebuchi Allanah
Onyebuchi Allanah serves as a Senior Brand Manager at Maltina and is a marketing professional driven by purpose. With extensive experience across multiple categories, including Lagers, Stouts, and CSDs, she is committed to revitalising and expanding brands, driving product innovation and renovations, identifying new opportunities in untapped markets, and achieving growth in sales and brand equity by delivering exceptional customer experiences through various channels.
9. Solape Hammond
Solape is currently serving as the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investments. Before assuming this role, she had a successful career in the private sector for over two decades, where she gained extensive experience in various fields such as Management Consulting, Risk Management, Banking, and Financial Advisory.
10. Zainab Abbas
Zainab Abbas is a highly experienced marketing expert who has spent over eight years honing her skills in various fields such as Business Management, Leadership, Marketing Communication, Brand Renovations, Launching Innovations, Establishing & Executing Purpose-driven Partnerships & Campaigns, and Analyzing Consumer Insight. Her expertise lies in developing and executing strategies that ensure a brand’s leadership position in a fiercely competitive marketplace.
11. Motunrayo Babalola
Motunrayo Babalola is a business leader who has accomplished much in Sales, New Business Development, Brand Management, Marketing Communication, Consumer Insight, and developing and executing strategies that guarantee a brand’s leadership position in a fiercely competitive marketplace. She has an entrepreneurial mindset and is comfortable with ambiguity, enabling her to take on cross-functional roles over the years.
12. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan is a change maker in sustainability and communications, significantly contributing to various industries, including manufacturing, media, and the financial sector. As Head of Sustainability at Access Bank, she has spearheaded the development of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP). She led the bank to become the first Sustainability-Certified Commercial Bank in Africa under the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative (SSCI).
13. Abiodun Olubitan
Abiodun Olubitan is the Head of the W Initiative at Access Bank PLC, overseeing Women’s Banking across Sub-Saharan Africa. Her responsibilities include understanding the region’s gender landscape and women’s needs, developing sustainable strategies for women’s economic empowerment, and implementing financial and lifestyle-focused initiatives. Abiodun’s work has contributed to millions of women being financially included. It has ensured the growth of thousands of women-owned businesses through opportunities for financing, capacity building, and accessing new markets.
14. Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika
Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika is the Chairwoman of Access Bank PLC and a former Permanent Secretary in various Federal Ministries in Nigeria. As a female icon in the country, she advocates for women’s active participation in nation-building and shares life lessons with young girls in secondary schools and universities. Awosika represents a beacon of light for young girls across Africa, serving as a model of courage, hard work, integrity, accountability, strength, and exemplary leadership.
15. Busola Komolafe
Busola Komolafe is an international award-winning filmmaker, TV producer, and content specialist currently serving as the Channel Manager for Paramount Africa. With over 15 years of experience in TV and film production, she has an in-depth understanding of commissioning processes for both scripted and unscripted formats. Busola is passionate about authentic visual storytelling and has worked with various top broadcast organisations, including Africa Magic and MultiChoice Group.
16. Rolake Akinkugbe
She is an experienced senior executive, versatile leader, and strategic thinker with expertise in helping companies in the infrastructure and energy sector scale and enters new high-growth African markets and achieve profitability. In addition, she is an expert conversationalist, speaker, moderator, and anchor, capable of distilling complex issues on a wide variety of global themes (including her areas of expertise) to a diverse and cross-cultural audience.
17. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe
She is a Nigerian business executive and banker who was born on July 28, 1964. She made history as the first female Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Nigeria. Onyeali-Ikpe holds a law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Master’s degree in Law from King’s College London.
18. Amina J. Mohammed
A Nigerian diplomat and politician who currently serves as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She has advocated for sustainable development and has served in various high-level positions in the Nigerian government and the United Nations.
19. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
A Liberian politician who served as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, making her the first elected female head of state in Africa. She has strongly advocated for women’s rights, economic development, and peacebuilding.
20. Sola Afolayan
Sola is an exceptional leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of Nigerians living in poverty. As a leading advocate for the application of the Multi-dimensional Index (MPI), she has made significant contributions towards the understanding of grassroots poverty in Nigeria. In her role at the National Social Investment Office (NSIO) under the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria, Sola coordinates key partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
21. Graça Machel
A Mozambican politician and humanitarian who has worked extensively on women’s and children’s rights in Africa. She is the widow of two former African presidents, Samora Machel of Mozambique and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
22. Ibijoke Faborode
Ibijoke is a visionary leader who co-founded ElectHER, a non-partisan Pan-African political organization. As the Executive Director, she drives the organization’s mission to bridge inequality gaps in African democracy by engaging critical stakeholders, encouraging women to decide, equipping them to run, and enabling them to win elections.
23. Fatou Bensouda
A Gambian lawyer and former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who has served as the Gambia High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. She has been a strong advocate for the rule of law and has worked to bring perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity to justice.
24. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
A Nigerian economist and international development expert who currently serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She has previously served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and has worked for the World Bank in various positions.
25. Tobi Amusan
Amusan is a Nigerian athlete who specializes in 100m hurdles and sprints. She holds the titles of World, Commonwealth, and African champion in the 100m hurdles and holds the meet records in all three competitions. In 2022, Amusan made history by becoming the first-ever Nigerian athlete to win a world championship and set a world record in an athletics event. She achieved this by winning the 100m hurdles gold medal at the World Championships and setting a current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final, followed by a wind-assisted time of 12.06 seconds in the final.
26. Arunma Oteh OON
She is a Nigerian economist and has held several notable positions in her career. She served as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria starting in January 2010, where she was responsible for regulating the country’s capital markets, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange. From 2015 to 2018, she was the Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank. In July 2021, she was appointed as the Chair of the Royal African Society, succeeding Zeinab Badawi.
27. Delali Attipoe
Attipoe is a global executive with extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, spanning logistics, supply chain management, commercial marketing, and managed care. With a passion for creating access to healthcare, education, and leadership opportunities, particularly in emerging markets, Delali has become a respected leader in her field.
28. Aisha Yesufu
A Nigerian activist and co-convener of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which called for an end to police brutality and systemic corruption. She has been a vocal advocate for human rights and good governance in Nigeria.
29. Folorunso Alakija
A Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist who is one of the wealthiest women in Africa. She is the founder of the Rose of Sharon Foundation, which provides support for widows and orphans in Nigeria.
30. Oby Ezekwesili
A Nigerian politician and activist who has worked extensively on economic and social development in Africa. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Education and has been a vocal advocate for transparency and accountability in governance.
31. Ibukun Awosika
A Nigerian businesswoman and the Former Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Limited. She also serves on the board of several other organisations and has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to business and entrepreneurship.
32. Magatte Wade
Senegalese entrepreneur and founder of Tiossan, a luxury skincare line that combines traditional African remedies with modern techniques. She is also a TED speaker and advocates for promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth in Africa.
33. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
Ethiopian entrepreneur and founder of soleRebels, an eco-friendly footwear company that creates jobs for local artisans and promotes sustainable manufacturing practices. She has been featured in Forbes and other publications for her innovative business model.
34. Wendy Luhabe
South African businesswoman and social entrepreneur. She has been involved in various businesses and organisations promoting women’s economic empowerment and social development in Africa.
35. Rachel Sibande
Malawian entrepreneur and founder of mHub, a technology innovation hub that provides training and resources for young people in Malawi to develop their skills and careers in the technology sector. She has been recognised as a leading tech entrepreneur in Africa.
36. Nozipho Mbanjwa
South African businesswoman and CEO of the Thuthuka Group, a diversified investment company interested in various industries, including mining, agriculture, and property development. She has been recognised for contributing to economic growth and promoting gender diversity in business.
37. Nunu Ntshingila
South African businesswoman and former Head of Facebook Africa. She has been instrumental in the growth of Facebook’s presence in Africa and has been recognised for her contributions to promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent.
38. Khanyi Dhlomo
South African media entrepreneur and founder of Ndalo Media, which publishes several popular magazines, including Destiny and Destiny Man. She has been recognised for her contributions to promoting African media and culture.
39. Ngele Ali
A media and communications expert with over 20 years of regional and international experience, has been recognized with several awards for her work in development and advocacy. Currently, she holds the position of Head of Communications at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kenya. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her proficiency in managing and leading the development and execution of communication strategies and advocacy campaigns, with a particular focus on humanitarian and development-related initiatives.
40. Ory Okolloh
Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Ushahidi, a non-profit tech company that develops open-source software for disaster response and crisis management. She has been recognised for her contributions to promoting technology for social good and promoting gender diversity in tech.
41. Fatoumata Ba
Senegalese entrepreneur and founder of Janngo, a social venture that invests in African tech startups and provides resources for women entrepreneurs. She has been recognised as one of the leading women entrepreneurs in Africa and a champion of digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
42. Bineta Diop
Bineta Diop is a Senegalese activist and founder of Femmes Africa Solidarité, an organisation that promotes peace and security in Africa. She has been a leading voice in the fight against gender-based violence and has worked tirelessly to empower women across the continent.
43. Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist and the founder of the Women in Peacebuilding Network. She was pivotal in ending Liberia’s civil war and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
44. Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu
Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu is a Nigerian author, speaker, and researcher who has been a leading voice in the fight for African decolonisation. She has worked to promote African knowledge systems and has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of women in all areas of society.
45. Angeline Murimirwa
Angeline Murimirwa is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in Africa. She has been a champion for girls’ education and has worked to empower young women across the continent.
46. Mpho Tutu van Furth
Mpho Tutu van Furth is a South African activist and founder of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. She has been a champion of social justice
47. Fatuma Roba
Ethiopian long-distance runner who won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for her country at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
48. Saudat Salami
Social entrepreneur and founder of Easyshop Easycook Services, an online grocery delivery service in Nigeria. She has been named one of Forbes’ “20 Youngest Power Women in Africa.”
49. Maryam Uwais
Lawyer and human rights advocate. She is the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments and heads the National Social Investment Programme in Nigeria.
50. Mo Abudu
Media mogul and founder of EbonyLife TV, a multi-platform entertainment network. She has been named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by The Hollywood Reporter.
51. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Award-winning actress and philanthropist. She is known for her roles in Nollywood films and has been named one of the “Time 100 Most Influential People in the World.”
52. Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She has won several awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act and the City People Entertainment Award for Female Musician of the Year.
53. Yemi Alade
Yemi Eberechi Alade is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter. She gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, and since then, she has released several hit songs, including “Johnny” and “Kissing”.
54. Simi
Simisola Kosoko, known professionally as Simi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career as a gospel singer and later transitioned to mainstream music. Simi is known for her soulful voice and has won several awards, including the Headies Award for Best Recording of the Year.
55. Teni
Teniola Apata, known professionally as Teni, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entertainer. She gained popularity after releasing her hit single “Fargin” and has since released several other successful songs, including “Case” and “Uyo Meyo”.
56. Niniola
Niniola Apata, known professionally as Niniola, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after finishing as the third runner-up in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa. Niniola is known for her unique sound and has released several hit songs, including “Maradona” and “Sicker”.
57, Asa
Bukola Elemide, known professionally as Asa, is a Nigerian-French singer, songwriter, and recording artist. She is known for her unique sound, which blends elements of jazz, pop, and soul music. Asa has released several successful albums, including “Asa” and “Bed of Stone”.
58. Omawumi
Omawumi Megbele, known professionally as Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained popularity after finishing as the runner-up in the first season of West African Idols. She has since released several hit songs, including “If You Ask Me” and “Bottom Belle”.
59. Waje
Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained popularity after featuring in P-Square’s hit song “Do Me” and has since released several other successful songs, including “I Wish” and “Mountain”.
60. Di’Ja
Hadiza Blell, known professionally as Di’Ja, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and visual artist. She gained popularity after signing with Mavin Records and has since released several hit songs, including “Aww” and “Yaro”. She is the Founder of iChange Foundation, which provides educational and healthcare support to vulnerable women and children across Nigeria.
61. Niyola
Eniola Akinbo, known professionally as Niyola, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She gained popularity after releasing her hit single “Toh Bad” and has since released several other successful songs, including “Love to Love You” and “Go On”.
62. Genevieve Nnaji
Known as the queen of Nollywood, Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress and director who has captured the hearts of millions with her captivating performances. With more than two decades of experience in the film industry, she has won numerous awards for her roles, including Best Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards. When she’s not on set, she’s a passionate advocate for gender equality and education.
63. Lupita Nyong’o
Hailing from Kenya, Lupita Nyong’o is an actress and filmmaker who has taken Hollywood by storm with her talent and poise. She won an Academy Award for her supporting role in 12 Years a Slave and has since appeared in blockbuster hits like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Black Panther. When not on set, she’s a fierce advocate for women’s rights and social justice.
64. Nadia Buari
With her stunning beauty and captivating performances, Nadia Buari is one of the most talented actresses in Ghana. She has won numerous awards for her roles in movies such as Beyonce: The President’s Daughter and Beauty and the Beast, and she is known for her commitment to philanthropy and giving back to her community.
65. Mercy Johnson
With her infectious energy and captivating performances, Mercy Johnson is one of the most beloved actresses in Nigeria. She has won Best Actress awards at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the Nollywood Movies Awards and is known for her charitable work and dedication to helping those in need.
66. Joselyn Dumas
With her stunning beauty and magnetic personality, Joselyn Dumas is one of Ghana’s most talented actresses and television hosts. She has won numerous awards for her performances in movies such as Adams Apples and A Northern Affair and is known for her work as an advocate for women’s rights and social justice.
67. Stephanie Okereke
With her natural charm and magnetic personality, Stephanie Okereke is a Nigerian actress, director, and producer who has won numerous awards for her captivating performances on screen. Known for her work as an advocate for women’s rights and social justice, she is a force to be reckoned with on and off the screen.
68. Yvonne Nelson
With her stunning beauty and magnetic personality, Yvonne Nelson is one of Ghana’s most talented actresses, models, and film producers. She has won numerous awards for her performances in movies such as House of Gold and Single and Married. She is known for her dedication to empowering women and promoting social justice.
69. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Nigerian author and feminist who has won numerous awards for her novels, including Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. She is known for her powerful TED Talk, “We Should All Be Feminists.”
70. Angelique Kidjo
Beninese singer and songwriter who has won three Grammy Awards for her music, which blends elements of African, pop, and world music. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate for human rights and social justice.
71. Yvonne Chaka Chaka
South African singer and songwriter known as the “Princess of Africa.” She has won numerous awards for her music and is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.
72. Fatoumata Diawara
Malian singer, songwriter, and actress who is known for her powerful voice and her commitment to using music as a tool for social change.
73. Zahara
South African singer and songwriter rose to fame with her debut album Loliwe, which became the best-selling album in South Africa in 2011.
74. Vanessa Mdee
Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and television personality who is known for her powerful voice and her commitment to empowering young women in Africa.
75. Busiswa
South African singer, songwriter, and poet was known for her unique style of music, which blends elements of gqom, kwaito, and hip-hop.
76. Muthoni Drummer Queen
Kenyan singer, rapper, and drummer who is known for her energetic performances and her commitment to empowering women in Africa.
77. Rebecca Malope
South African gospel singer who has won numerous awards for her music and is also known for her humanitarian work, including her support of orphaned and vulnerable children.
78. Dobet Gnahoré
Ivorian singer and dancer who is known for her powerful voice and her commitment to preserving traditional African music and dance.
79. Maria Mutola
Mozambican middle-distance runner who won multiple gold medals in the 800m event, including at the 2000 Olympics. She has since become a coach and advocate for African women’s sports.
80. Murielle Ahouré
Ivorian sprinter who has won multiple medals in the 100m and 200m events at the World Championships and African Championships.
81. Asha Ahmed Mwilu
Kenyan journalist who has covered sports and other topics for CNN Africa and was the first African journalist to win the prestigious Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.
82. Moudjibath Diallo
a Senegalese basketball player who has played professionally in Europe and was the first woman from her country to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is also a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports.
83. Seun Runsewe
Seun is a Senior Product Manager at Chipper Cash, Africa’s newest unicorn valued at $2 billion. Prior to joining Chipper Cash, she served as Vice President of Growth at Softcom and was also the youngest banking CEO in Africa after building and beta-launching Switch by Sterling Bank, a multi-currency digital bank.
84. Tope Omotolani
Omotolani is the co-founder and CEO of Crowdyvest, an impact-driven community that fosters interdependence between individuals and businesses. She is also one of the co-founders of Farmcrowdy, Nigeria’s first digital agricultural platform, which launched in 2016. Under her leadership, Crowdyvest has raised over $35 million through savings and investment for multiple businesses from a community of over 100,000 members.
85. Yanmo Omorogbe
Yanmo is the co-founder and COO of Bamboo, a digital investment platform that provides Nigerians with real-time access to assets traded on the US stock exchange from their mobile phones or computers. Yanmo leads growth and operations at Bamboo.
86. Damilola Odufuwa
Odufuwa is a tech executive and women’s rights advocate who currently serves as the head of Public Relations and Communications for Africa at Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Backdrop, an app and social network that allows people to find and share beautiful spaces worldwide. Additionally, she co-founded the FeministCoalition, an advocacy group for young Nigerian feminists championing equality for women in Nigerian society.
87. Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti
Durosimi-Etti is the founder and CEO of Herconomy, a female-focused fintech startup that provides financial resources for women. Herconomy is Nigeria’s first digital platform of female entrepreneurs and professionals, focusing on empowering women and connecting them to opportunities such as grants, fellowships, scholarships, jobs, and more.
88. Solape Akinpelu
Akinpelu is the founder and CEO of HerVest, a women-focused and inclusive fintech platform for underserved and excluded women in Africa. HerVest enables women to participate in savings, impact investments, and credit, particularly for smallholder women farmers in Nigeria. She is a certified financial education instructor and a member of the Personal Finance Speakers Association (USA).
89. Damilola Olokesusi
Olokesusi is the co-founder and CEO of Shuttlers, Nigeria’s leading transportation-driven transportation startup. She also launched Shemoves Shuttles, an all-female shuttle service sponsored by Ford Motors Company, which has impacted over 600 female professionals by turning their commute time into learning time.
90. Folayemi Agusto
Agusto is the CEO and co-founder of tix.africa, a self-service ticketing platform for event organizers to manage, list, and collect payment for live and virtual events. She is also a self-taught user interface designer, a passionate event organizer, and co-founder of Eat Drink Lagos, which has become the go-to guide for inhabitants and visitors seeking information on where to eat and drink in Lagos.
91. Asisat Lamina Oshoala MON
She is a renowned Nigerian professional footballer who currently serves as a striker for the Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona and represents the Nigeria women’s national team. She is widely recognized as one of the most exceptional African female footballers of all time and a prominent figure in the global football scene. With five African Women’s Footballer of the Year awards under her belt, she remains one of the most celebrated African female footballers ever.
92. Hannah Iribhogbe
In October 2022, Hannah Iribhogbe won the Miss Universe Nigeria 2022 title at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2022 pageant. Hannah is a student majoring in business management at North Lake College in Dallas, Texas. She is actively involved in charity work with NGOs and orphanages, and she has personally taken responsibility for the welfare of two young girls. Hannah founded The Montana Initiative, an organization that aims to provide food to ten million children throughout Africa.
93. Chigozie Obi
Obi is a talented multidisciplinary visual artist. Her artwork delves into the use of various materials to convey stories inspired by personal and societal experiences. Obi’s creations capture her interest in the human body, beauty standards, self-acceptance, and cultural narratives that affect people in society, particularly women. She strives to initiate meaningful dialogues about the cultural aspects of society and how they impact its people.
94. Yemi Adamolekun
Adamolekun serves as the executive director of Enough is Enough (Nigeria), advocating for better governance in Nigeria. She is also a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, actively participating in political discussions. In recognition of her work, Yemi received the Global Citizen Prize in 2022.
95. Cynthia Onyinye Mbamalu
Mbamalu is a devoted advocate for human and gender rights and a development practitioner. As a lawyer with an LLM in Comparative Constitutional Law from the Central European University, Cynthia specializes in human and women’s rights advocacy, youth leadership development, constitution building, and elections. She strongly supports inclusive and participatory governance to achieve sustainable development and democracy.
96. Nelly Chatue-Diop
Chatue-Diop is the CEO and co-founder of Ejara, Africa’s first non-custodial wallet and blockchain-based mobile investment platform specifically designed for Francophone Africa and the diaspora. With an educational background in computer science and an MBA from HEC Paris and London Business School, Nelly has gained over 15 years of expertise in emerging technologies, traditional finance, and Web 3.0 through her participation in several directorial boards and executive committees.
97. Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi
Ogundeyi founded Fashpa.com, a Nigerian e-commerce platform that designs and sells its products online and in-store while also providing fashion and lifestyle brands from the international market to Nigerians. In 2017, Oyindamola launched an entrepreneurial vlog called Side Hustle to Empire, where she shares tips on starting and running a successful business.
98. Aisha R. Pandora
Pandora co-founded SweepSouth, Africa’s first online end-to-end platform for booking, managing, and paying for home cleaning services. As one of the few black female tech startup CEOs in South Africa and internationally, Aisha led SweepSouth to become one of the fastest-growing startups in the country. The venture-backed company won the SiMODiSA Startup SA pitching prize and was later the first South African startup to be accepted into the prestigious 500 Startups accelerator based in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.
99. Nkem Isiakpona
Isiakpona is a member of the Dispute Resolution & Corporate Commercial Practice Groups at the Templars and provides legal counsel to clients on Nigerian law and policy matters pertaining to business operations, foreign investments in Nigeria, and company structures. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University. Before joining Templars, Nkem was employed by HP Nigeria Limited and has been extensively involved in litigation related to employment contracts.
100. Miishe Addy
Addy is the CEO and co-founder of Jetstream Africa, an e-logistics company operating across borders in Ghana, Nigeria, and Egypt. Before founding Jetstream, Miishe pursued a degree in law at Stanford and obtained her bachelor’s degree from Harvard College. She commenced her career as a top-ranking strategy analyst for Bain & Company in New York and has collaborated with worldwide development organizations such as TechnoServe and Global Partnerships.