Global Courant
Avance Media, a pan-African PR and ratings agency, has announced the publication of its fifth annual edition of the 100 Most Influential African Women List for 2023, celebrating Africa’s top female leaders from 31 countries.
Chosen for their exceptional contributions to various sectors on the continent, the 2023 publication features 20 business leaders, 24 diplomats, 6 climate change leaders, 21 CSO & Philanthropy leaders and others in notable categories such as governance, media, sports and entertainment.
Prince Akpah, the founder of Avance Media, emphasized that the compilation aims to spotlight women who are leading leading initiatives across Africa and serving as inspiring role models for the next generation. He highlighted their selection as a tribute to their extraordinary achievements and positioned them as exemplary pioneers among Africa’s women leaders.
Selection criteria included: excellence in leadership and performance, personal achievement, commitment to sharing knowledge, challenging the status quo and being an accomplished African woman.
The 2023 list includes female presidents and vice presidents, HE Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), HE Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), HE Mariam Chabi Talata (Benin), HE Mutale Nalumango (Zambia), HE Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior ( Southern Sudan). ) and Simi Nwogugu (Nigeria).
The comprehensive profiles of the 100 most influential African women of 2023 can be found at 100women.avancemedia.org.
Avance Media announces the list of most influential African women for 2023
Below is Avance Media’s list of 2023’s 100 Most Influential African Women, ranked in alphabetical order
Abir Ibrahim || Associate Director of Africa, World Economic Forum
Ahunna Eziakonwa || Regional Director for Africa, UNDP
Alice Wairimu Nderitu || Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, UN
Amani Abou-Zeid (HE) || Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, AU
Amina J Mohammed (HE) || Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Strategic Partnership Lead for Africa, Microsoft
Angelique Kidjo || Musician
Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy Managing Director of the IMF
Arunma Oteh || Chairman, Royal African Association
Aya Chebbi || Founder of Nala Feminist Collective
Beatrice Agyeman Abbey || Group CEO, Media General
Bimbo Ademoye || Actress
Bintou Keïta || Special Representative of the Secretary General to the DRC, UN
Caroline Wanga || CEO, Essence
Charlene Ruto || Founder of the Smachs Foundation
Chido Cleopatra Mpemba || Youth Envoy, African Union
Chileshe Kapwepwe || Secretary General, COMESA
Clementine Nkweta-Salami || Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, UN
Coumba Sow || Representative and Country Director in Rwanda and Djinouti, FAO
Dagmawit Girmay Berhane || Member, International Olympic Committee
Damilola Ogunbiyi || Co-Chair, UN Energy
Danai Nhando || Country Director, Change.org South Africa
Deborah Mutund || TV presenter, CANAL+ Group
Degan Ali || Executive Director, Adeso
Diarietou Gaye || Vice President People and Culture, World Bank
Diene Keita || Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (HE) || Deputy Executive Director, UNEP
Elizabeth Wathuti || Founder of the Green Generation initiative
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (HE) || Founder, EJS Center
Fatim Cisse || CEO, IHS Towers CI
Fatima Kyari Mohammed (HE) || Permanent Observer at the United Nations, AU
Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura || Secretary General, FIFA
Folasade Alli (Dr.) || Chief Medical Director, Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre
Françoise Moudouthe || CEO, African Women Development Fund
Françoise Remarck || Minister of Culture, Ivory Coast
Graça Machel || Founder, Graça Machel Trust
Hanan Morsy || Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (HE) || Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, United Nations
Hilda Bassey || Chef, Myfood by Hilda Baci
Ibukun Awosika (Dr.) || CEO, De Stoel Center Group
Ineza Umuhoza Grace || CEO, The Green Guardian
Irene Koki Mutungi || Captain, Kenya Airways
Jacqueline Asiimwe || CEO, CivSource Africa
Jessica Dewhurst || CEO, Justice Desk Africa
Libya || Musician
Leila Bouamatou (Dr.) || Managing Director, Generale de Banque de Mauritanie
Louise Mushikiwabo (HE) || SG, International Organization for Francophonie
Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee
Mariam Chabi Talata (HE) || Vice President, Republic of Benin
Martha Ama A. Pobee (HE) || Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, UN
Martha Koome || Chief Justice, Kenya
Matshidiso Moeti (Dr.) || Regional Director of the World Health Organization Africa
Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi || Executive Vice President, African Center for Economic Transformation
Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group
Monique Nsanzabaganwa (HE Dr.) || Vice President, African Union
Mukwandi Chibesakunda || CEO, Zambia National Commercial Bank
Mutale Nalumango (HE) || Vice President, Zambia
Nangula Nelulu Uaandja || CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala || Director-General, World Trade Organization
Noluthando Gosa || CEO of the Akhona Group
Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita || Chairman, Standard Bank Group
Nozipho Tshabalala || CEO, the conversation strategists
Ojoma Ochai || Managing Director, Co-Creation Hub
Olori Atuwatse III (HRH) || Queen Consort, Warri Kingdom
Oulie Keita (Dr.) || Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr.) || Chairman of the Board, Women Deliver
Precious Moloi-Motsepe (Dr.) || CEO, Motsepe Foundation
Proscovia Nabbanja || CEO, Uganda National Oil Company
Caution Ngwenya || Director, Women, Gender and Youth, African Union
Racey Muchilwa || PRESIDENT & HEAD, Novartis Sub-Saharan Africa
Rasha Kelej (Senator Dr.) || CEO, Merck Foundation
Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (HE) || Vice President, South Sudan
Roselinda Tuya || Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry,
Ruth Kadiri || Actress
Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa || TV and radio presenter
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (Rt. Hon) || Prime Minister, Namibia
Sahle-Werk Zewde (HE) || Chairman, Ethiopia
Salima Mukansanga || Referee, FIFA
Samia Suluhu Hassan (HE) || Chairman, Tanzania
Samira Bawumia (HE) || Second Lady and Founder, AFRIWOCC
Samukeliso Dube (Dr.) || Executive Director, FP2030
Sanda Ojiambo || Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Global Compact
Sara Menker || CEO, Gro Intelligence
Simi Nwogugu || CEO, Junior Achievement Africa
Solange Amichia || CEO, CEPICI
Somachi Chris-Asoluka || CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation
Stigmata Tenga (Dr.) || Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network
Thembi Seete || Actress
Theo Sowa || Co-chair of the Equality Fund
Theresa Ayoade || CEO, Charterhouse
Tulia Ackson (Hon Dr.) || Speaker, National Assembly of Tanzania
Tusaiwe Munkhondya || Founder, YANA
Valentine Rugwabiza || SG Special Representative for CAR, United Nations
Vanessa Nakate || Climate activist and Goodwill Ambassador, Unicef
Vera Songwe (Dr.) || Founder and Chairman of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility
Victoria Kwakwa || Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank
Wendy Lucas Bull || Chairman, Shoprite Holdings Ltd
Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS
Zainab Hawa Bangura (HE) || Director General of the UN Office in Nairobi
Zouera Youssoufou || CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation
