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 leaders in CSO & Philanthropy and other in notable categories such as governance, media, sports and entertainment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Avance Media announces 2023 Most Influential African Women list
Avance Media, a pan-African Public Relations and Rating firm, has announced the release of its fifth annual edition of the 100 Most Influential African Women list for 2023 honouring Africa’s foremost women leaders from 31 countries.
Avance Media 100 MIAW
Prince Akpah, the Founder of Avance Media, emphasized that the compilation aims to spotlight women spearheading impactful initiatives across Africa, serving as inspiring role models for the next generation.
He underscored their selection as a tribute to their extraordinary accomplishments, positioning them as exemplary trailblazers among Africa's female leaders.
Criteria for selection included: Excellence in Leadership & Performance, Personal accomplishments, Commitment to sharing knowledge, Breaking the Status Quo and being an accomplished African Woman.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 2023 list features female presidents and vice presidents, H.E Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia), H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), H.E Mariam Chabi Talata (Benin), H.E Mutale Nalumango (Zambia) and H.E. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (South Sudan)
The comprehensive profiles of the 2023 100 Most Influential African Women can be accessed at 100women.avancemedia.org.
Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2023 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order
1. Abir Ibrahim || Associate Director of Africa, World Economic Forum
2. Ahunna Eziakonwa || Regional Director for Africa, UNDP
ADVERTISEMENT
3. Alice Wairimu Nderitu || Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, UN
4. Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, AU
5. Amina J Mohammed (H.E.) || Deputy Secretary-General , United Nations
6. Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Strategic Partnership Lead for Africa, Microsoft
7. Angélique Kidjo || Musician
ADVERTISEMENT
8. Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy Managing Director, IMF
9. Arunma Oteh || Chairperson, Royal African Society
10. Aya Chebbi || Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
11. Beatrice Agyeman Abbey || Group CEO, Media General
12. Bimbo Ademoye || Actress
ADVERTISEMENT
13. Bintou Keita || Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, UN
14. Caroline Wanga || CEO, Essence
15. Charlene Ruto || Founder, Smachs Foundation
16. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba || Youth Envoy, African Union
17. Chileshe Kapwepwe || General Secretary, COMESA
ADVERTISEMENT
18. Clementine Nkweta-Salami || Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, UN
19. Coumba Sow || Representative and Country Director in Rwanda & Djinouti, FAO
20. Dagmawit Girmay Berhane || Member, International Olympic Committee
21. Damilola Ogunbiyi || Co-Chair, UN-Energy
22. Danai Nhando || Country Director, Change.org South Africa
ADVERTISEMENT
23. Déborah Mutund || TV Host, CANAL+ Group
24. Degan Ali || Executive Director, Adeso
25. Diariétou Gaye || Vice President People and Culture, World Bank
26. Diene Keita || Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund
27. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (H.E) || Deputy Executive Director, UNEP
ADVERTISEMENT
28. Elizabeth Wathuti || Founder, Green Generation Initiative
29. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E.) || Founder, EJS Center
30. Fatim Cissé || CEO, IHS Towers CI
31. Fatima Kyari Mohammed (H.E) || Permanent Observer to the United Nations, AU
32. Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura || Secretary General, FIFA
ADVERTISEMENT
33. Folasade Alli (Dr.) || Chief Medical Director, Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre
34. Françoise Moudouthe || CEO, African Women's Development Fund
35. Françoise Remarck || Minister of Culture, Ivory Coast
36. Graça Machel || Founder, Graça Machel Trust
37. Hanan Morsy || Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
ADVERTISEMENT
38. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (H.E.) || Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, United Nations
39. Hilda Bassey || Chef, Myfood By Hilda Baci
40. Ibukun Awosika (Dr.) || CEO, The Chair Centre Group
41. Ineza Umuhoza Grace || CEO, The Green Protector
42. Irene Koki Mutungi || Captain, Kenya Airways
ADVERTISEMENT
43. Jacqueline Asiimwe || CEO, CivSource Africa
44. Jessica Dewhurst || CEO, Justice Desk Africa
45. Libianca || Musician
46. Leila Bouamatou (Dr.) || Managing Director, Générale de Banque de Mauritanie
47. Louise Mushikiwabo (H.E.) || SG, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
ADVERTISEMENT
48. Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee
49. Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E) || Vice President, Republic of Benin
50. Martha Ama A. Pobee (H.E.) || Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, UN
51. Martha Koome || Chief Justice, Kenya
52. Matshidiso Moeti (Dr.) || Regional Director, World Health Organisation Africa
ADVERTISEMENT
53. Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi || Executive Vice President, African Center for Economic Transformation
54. Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group
55. Monique Nsanzabaganwa (H.E. Dr.) || Deputy Chairperson, African Union
56. Mukwandi Chibesakunda || CEO, Zambia National Commercial Bank
57. Mutale Nalumango (H.E.) || Vice President, Zambia
ADVERTISEMENT
58. Nangula Nelulu Uaandja || CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
59. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala || Director General, World Trade Organisation
60. Noluthando Gosa || CEO, Akhona Group
61. Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita || Chairperson, Standard Bank Group
62. Nozipho Tshabalala || CEO, The Conversation Strategists
ADVERTISEMENT
63. Ojoma Ochai || Managing Director, Co-Creation Hub
64. Olori Atuwatse III (HRH) || Queen Consort, Warri Kingdom
65. Oulie Keita (Dr.) || Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa
66. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr.) || Board Chair, Women Deliver
67. Precious Moloi-Motsepe (Dr.) || CEO, Motsepe Foundation
ADVERTISEMENT
68. Proscovia Nabbanja || CEO, Uganda National Oil Company
69. Prudence Ngwenya || Director of Women, Gender and Youth, African Union
70. Racey Muchilwa || PRESIDENT & HEAD, Novartis Sub-Saharan Africa
71. Rasha Kelej (Senator Dr.) || CEO, Merck Foundation
72. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (H.E.) || Vice President, South Sudan
ADVERTISEMENT
73. Roselinda Tuya || Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry,
74. Ruth Kadiri || Actress
75. Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa || TV & Radio Host
76. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (Rt. Hon) || Prime Minister, Namibia
77. Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) || President , Ethiopia
ADVERTISEMENT
78. Salima Mukansanga || Referee, FIFA
79. Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E) || President, Tanzania
80. Samira Bawumia (H.E.) || Second Lady & Founder, AFRIWOCC
81. Samukeliso Dube (Dr.) || Executive Director, FP2030
82. Sanda Ojiambo || Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Global Compact
ADVERTISEMENT
83. Sara Menker || CEO, Gro Intelligence
84. Simi Nwogugu || CEO, Junior Achievement Africa
85. Solange Amichia || CEO, CEPICI
86. Somachi Chris-Asoluka || CEO, The Tony Elumelu Foundation
87. Stigmata Tenga (Dr.) || Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network
ADVERTISEMENT
88. Thembi Seete || Actress
89. Theo Sowa || Co-Chair, The Equality Fund
90. Theresa Ayoade || CEO, Charterhouse
91. Tulia Ackson (Hon Dr.) || Speaker, National Assembly of Tanzania
92. Tusaiwe Munkhondya || Founder, YANA
ADVERTISEMENT
93. Valentine Rugwabiza || Special Representative of the SG for the CAR, United Nations
94. Vanessa Nakate || Climate Activist & Goodwill Ambassador, Unicef
95. Vera Songwe (Dr.) || Founder & Chairwoman, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility
96. Victoria Kwakwa || Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank
97. Wendy Lucas-Bull || Chairperson, Shoprite Holdings Ltd
ADVERTISEMENT
98. Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS
99. Zainab Hawa Bangura (H.E.) || Director General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
100. Zouera Youssoufou || CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
Larry Vibez transports us into his universe in 'Diary of the Vibez' EP
MrBeast and 5 Ghanaian YouTubers whose content would be lit
Guru opens up how COVID pushed him to enroll in Legon his dream school
Ghanaian student sets new Guinness World Record by hugging 1,123 trees in 1 hour
DKB details fearful reason behind his silence on 2024 dumsor under Nana-Addo
MrBeast: World's most popular YouTuber surprisingly shows up in Ghana (VIDEO)
Nonsense, give us timetable; Nana Yaa Brefo fumes over dumsor (VIDEO)
Yaba Buluku Boyz go all out for the culture with their debut album 'Donsa'
