Avance Media has officially announced its 2025 ranking of the 100 Most Influential African Women. The ranking is a continent-wide publication that recognizes African women whose leadership, influence and achievements continue to influence decision-making at the highest national and international levels.
Now in its seventh year, the ranking focuses on women who have risen through corporate leadership, founded influential institutions, influenced policy and set global standards across governance, diplomacy, business, media, climate change, civil society, philanthropy, sport and the creative industries.
The publication features influential women from 32 African countries, reflecting the depth and diversity of women’s leadership across the continent. Nigeria emerged as the most represented country on the list with 20 women, followed by South Africa (8), Ghana (8), Kenya (8), Zimbabwe (6) and Egypt (5), with the countries with the highest number of featured women taking the top spot. Collectively, these countries account for a significant proportion of Africa’s female leaders active at national, regional and global levels.
This year’s ranking is characterized by its strong political presence, with two current presidents and one former president selected. These include Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Her Excellency Ndempelira Netumbo Nandi Ndutowa of Namibia, and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia. The list also includes Her Excellency Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang of Ghana, Her Excellency Jessica Alpo of Uganda, Her Excellency Esperanza da Costa of Angola, Her Excellency Mariam Chabi Talata of Benin, and Her Excellency Mutare Na of Zambia. Eight Vice-Presidents were also recognized, including Her Excellency Lumango and Her Excellency Rebecca Nyanden de Mabior of South Sudan, highlighting the growing role of women in political leadership in the executive branch across Africa.
Global governance and multilateral institutions feature prominently in the ranking, which includes several women in senior leadership positions at the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, British Commonwealth of Nations, African Development Bank Group, World Trade Organization, and other international organizations. Notable figures include Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Her Excellency Ahuna Ejiakonwa, UNDP Regional Director for Africa; My lord. Shirley Ayoko Botchway, Secretary-General of the Federation; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Martha Ama Akiya Povey, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Africa;
Beyond governance and diplomacy, corporate leadership is represented by women such as Dr. Owen Omogiafo, Ms. Folorunso Alakia, Ms. Mpumi Madisa and Ms. Delphine Traore Maidu, while media influence is reflected through world-class journalists such as Ms. Nima Elbagir, Ms. Anne Soy and Ms. Salma Abdelaziz. In the fields of arts, entertainment and sport, the list includes internationally renowned names such as Angelique Kidjo, Tems, Ira Starr, Tiwa Savage, Tyra and Olympic champion-turned-IOC president Kirsty Coventry.
Civil society, climate change advocacy and philanthropy remain important pillars of influence within the ranking. Women such as Dr. Rasha Kelei, Graça Machel, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Jaha Doucoure, and Zuela Yusuf are known for their continued commitment to social justice, development financing, gender advocacy, and community transformation across Africa.
According to Avance Media, selection to the 100 Most Influential African Women ranking is based on excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, commitment to knowledge sharing, ability to challenge the status quo, and demonstrated impact as accomplished African women operating at national, continental and global levels.
Commenting on the announcement, the Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpa, said the ranking is part of the organization’s broader mission to reshape Africa’s global narrative. “These women are not only breaking barriers, they are redefining power, leadership and influence in Africa and around the world. This publication chronicles their impact while inspiring the next generation of African women leaders to endlessly pursue excellence,” he said.
The 100 Most Influential African Women ranking celebrates and serves as a record of the achievements of Africa’s contemporary leadership, reaffirming the continued important role of women in shaping Africa’s future and engaging with the international community.
Below is Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential African Women of 2025, ordered alphabetically.
1. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong || CEO, African Agribusiness Consortium
2. Ahunna Ejiakonwa (HE) || UNDP Africa Regional Director
3. Amina J. Mohammed (HE) ||Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
4. Amma Tum Amoah (HHS) ||African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS)
5. Angeline Murimirwa || CAMFED CEO
6. Angelique Kidjo ||Singer & Songwriter
7. Anita Asma (Major General) || UNDOF United Nations Mission Director and Unit Commander
8. Anita Kiki Gbeho (HE) ||Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan
9. Anna Mutavati (HE) || UN Women, Regional Director (East and Southern Africa)
10. Ann Soi || BBC Journalist & OAP
11. Aisha Osoli ||CEO, West Africa Open Society Initiative (OSIWA)
12. Ira Starr ||Singer & Songwriter
13. Beatriz Chebet ||Athlete
14. Bimbo Ademoye ||Actress & Film Director
15. Bintou Keita (HE) ||Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
16. Bogolo Kennewendo ||Botswana Minister of Minerals and Energy
17.Boitsumero Mosako || CEO, Southern African Development Bank
18. Claire Mawisa ||Journalist, OAP, DSTV
19. Claire Akamanzi || NBA Africa CEO
20. Clementine Nkweta Salami ||Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan
21. Damtien L. Chinchivilla (HE) || ECOWAS Commission Vice-Chairman
22. Delphine Traore Maidou ||Allianz Africa CEO
23. Dieng Keita (HE) || Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
24. Edith Kimani ||Journalist and OAP, DW
25. Elizabeth Maluma Mulema (HE) || Deputy Executive Director of UNEP
26. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (HE) ||Former President of the Republic of Liberia
27. Esperanza da Costa (HE) ||Vice President of Angola
28. Fatima Maada Bio (HE) ||First Lady of Sierra Leone
29. Fatou Jen ||Founder of Clean Earth Gambia
30. Fatou Saw Sarr (Professor) || ECOWAS Secretary of Human Development and Social Affairs
31. Folie Ba Thibault ||Journalist and OAP, Al Jazeera
32. Folorunso Alakija || GMD, Rose of Sharon Group
33. Funke Akindele ||Actress & Film Director
34. Ghislaine Chebak ||Soccer player, Al Hilal SFC, Morocco Women’s National Team
35. Graça Machel ||Founder of Graça Machel Trust
36. Hanan Morsy ||Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
37. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (HE) || USG Special Representative and Director of UNSMIL (Libya), United Nations
38. Hanan Sleeman (HE) ||Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF
39. Diopunsere Hassato ||Vice President, Finance and CFO, African Development Bank Group
40. Hend Sabry ||Actress
41. Ireti Samuel-Ogbu ||Chairman, African Finance Corporation
42. Jaha Doucouré || Founder of Safe Hands for Girls
43. Jane Nana Opoku‑Agyeman (HE) ||Vice President of Ghana
44. Jessica Alpo (He) ||Vice President of Uganda
45. Joyce Cleopa Msuya Mpanju (HE) ||Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
46. Judith Suminwa Turka ||Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
47. Julia Sebutinde ||Deputy President of the International Court of Justice
48. Julie Gichuru (Dr.) ||Founder of African Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)
49. Kanayo Awa ||Executive Vice President of Afreximbank
50. Kirsty Coventry ||President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
51. Leila Benali ||Morocco Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development
52.Lerato Dorothy Mataboge (HE) ||African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
53. Mariam Chabi Talata (HE) ||Vice President of the Republic of Benin
54. Marie Antoinette Rose Quatre (HE) || CEO of African Peer Review Mechanism
55. Martha Ama Akiya Povey (HE) ||Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Africa
56. Mary Jean Moyo ||Chief of Staff, International Finance Corporation
57. Mo Abdu || Ebony Life Group CEO
58. Mohsun Rayode || Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Forum
59. Mpumi Madisa ||Bidvest Group CEO
60. Mutare Nalumango (HE) ||Vice President of Zambia
61. Nardos Bekele Thomas (HE) || AUDA-NEPAD CEO
62. Ndempelira Netumbo Nandi Ndowa (HE) ||President of the Republic of Namibia
63. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (PhD) ||Director General of the World Trade Organization
64. Nima Elbagir || Chief International Investigative Correspondent, CNN
65. Nenna Lily Nwabufo ||Vice President, Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, African Development Bank Group
66. Nomsa Philiso || Canal+ Africa Content General Entertainment Director
67. Nyarazai Gambonzvanda || Deputy Executive Director of UN Women
68. Oluwatoyin Sanni (Dr.) ||Emerging Africa Group CEO
69. Omoni Oboli ||Actress & Film Director
70. Ollie Keita (Dr.) ||Greenpeace Africa Executive Director
71. Owen Omogiafo (PhD) ||Group CEO, Transcorp
72. Phoebe N. Okowa || International Court of Justice Judge
73. Priscilla Mabelane ||Executive Vice President, Sasol
74. Rasha Kelei (Dr.) || CEO, Merck Foundation
75. Rebecca Nyanden de Mabior (HE) ||Vice President of South Sudan
76. Rika Luigamba ||Country Director, Mastercard Foundation, Ghana Program
77. Rose Mwebaza (HE) || UNEP Africa Regional Director
78. Sarah Kugongerwa-Amadira ||President of the Namibian National Assembly
79. Salma Abdelaziz || OAP and CNN Correspondent
80. Samia Suluhu Hassan (he) ||President of the United Republic of Tanzania
81. Sanda Ojiambo (HE) ||Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations Global Compact
82. Selma Malika Haddadi (HE) ||Vice-President of the African Union
83. Shirley Ayoko Botchway (Book) ||Secretary General of the Federation
84. Chris Asoruka Sorimachi ||Tony Elumelu Foundation CEO
85. Souad Abderrahim ||Mayor of Tunis
86. Taakaawori ||Busara Africa CEO
87.Tem||Singer & Songwriter
88. Tiwa Savage ||Singer & Songwriter
89. Chitsi Masiyiwa ||Co-Founder of Higher Life Foundation
90. Tyra ||Singer & Songwriter
91. Valentine Lagwabiza (HE) ||Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Central African Republic
92. Vera Daves de Sousa ||Minister of Finance of Angola
93. Vera Songwe (Dr.) ||Chairman and Founder of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility
94. Veronica Mueni Nduva (HE) ||Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC)
95. Winnie Byanyima (HE) || UNAIDS Executive Director
96. Yasmin Fuad (HE) || UNCCD Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director
97. Yasmine Sabri ||Actress
98. Zainab Hawa Bangura (HE) ||Director of the United Nations Office in Nairobi
99. Zanele Muholi ||Activist
100. Zuela Yusuf ||Representative Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation
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