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.
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 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 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.
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), H.E. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (South Sudan) and Simi Nwogugu ( Nigeria).
The comprehensive profiles of the 2023 100 Most Influential African Women can be accessed at 100women.avancemedia.org.
Avance Media announces 2023 Most Influential African Women list
Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2023 100 Most Influential African Women arranged 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 (H.E.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, AU
Amina J Mohammed (H.E.) || Deputy Secretary-General , United Nations
Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Strategic Partnership Lead for Africa, Microsoft
Angélique Kidjo || Musician
Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy Managing Director, IMF
Arunma Oteh || Chairperson, Royal African Society
Aya Chebbi || Founder, Nala Feminist Collective
Beatrice Agyeman Abbey || Group CEO, Media General
Bimbo Ademoye || Actress
Bintou Keita || Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, UN
Caroline Wanga || CEO, Essence
Charlene Ruto || Founder, Smachs Foundation
Chido Cleopatra Mpemba || Youth Envoy, African Union
Chileshe Kapwepwe || General Secretary, COMESA
Clementine Nkweta-Salami || Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, UN
Coumba Sow || Representative and Country Director in Rwanda & Djinouti, FAO
Dagmawit Girmay Berhane || Member, International Olympic Committee
Damilola Ogunbiyi || Co-Chair, UN-Energy
Danai Nhando || Country Director, Change.org South Africa
Déborah Mutund || TV Host, CANAL+ Group
Degan Ali || Executive Director, Adeso
Diariétou Gaye || Vice President People and Culture, World Bank
Diene Keita || Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (H.E) || Deputy Executive Director, UNEP
Elizabeth Wathuti || Founder, Green Generation Initiative
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E.) || Founder, EJS Center
Fatim Cissé || CEO, IHS Towers CI
Fatima Kyari Mohammed (H.E) || Permanent Observer to 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’s 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 (H.E.) || Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, United Nations
Hilda Bassey || Chef, Myfood By Hilda Baci
Ibukun Awosika (Dr.) || CEO, The Chair Centre Group
Ineza Umuhoza Grace || CEO, The Green Protector
Irene Koki Mutungi || Captain, Kenya Airways
Jacqueline Asiimwe || CEO, CivSource Africa
Jessica Dewhurst || CEO, Justice Desk Africa
Libianca || Musician
Leila Bouamatou (Dr.) || Managing Director, Générale de Banque de Mauritanie
Louise Mushikiwabo (H.E.) || SG, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee
Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E) || Vice President, Republic of Benin
Martha Ama A. Pobee (H.E.) || Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, UN
Martha Koome || Chief Justice, Kenya
Matshidiso Moeti (Dr.) || Regional Director, World Health Organisation Africa
Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi || Executive Vice President, African Center for Economic Transformation
Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group
Monique Nsanzabaganwa (H.E. Dr.) || Deputy Chairperson, African Union
Mukwandi Chibesakunda || CEO, Zambia National Commercial Bank
Mutale Nalumango (H.E.) || Vice President, Zambia
Nangula Nelulu Uaandja || CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala || Director General, World Trade Organisation
Noluthando Gosa || CEO, Akhona Group
Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita || Chairperson, 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.) || Board Chair, Women Deliver
Precious Moloi-Motsepe (Dr.) || CEO, Motsepe Foundation
Proscovia Nabbanja || CEO, Uganda National Oil Company
Prudence Ngwenya || Director of 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 (H.E.) || Vice President, South Sudan
Roselinda Tuya || Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry,
Ruth Kadiri || Actress
Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa || TV & Radio Host
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (Rt. Hon) || Prime Minister, Namibia
Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) || President, Ethiopia
Salima Mukansanga || Referee, FIFA
Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E) || President, Tanzania
Samira Bawumia (H.E.) || Second Lady & 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, The Tony Elumelu Foundation
Stigmata Tenga (Dr.) || Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network
Thembi Seete || Actress
Theo Sowa || Co-Chair, The Equality Fund
Theresa Ayoade || CEO, Charterhouse
Tulia Ackson (Hon Dr.) || Speaker, National Assembly of Tanzania
Tusaiwe Munkhondya || Founder, YANA
Valentine Rugwabiza || Special Representative of the SG for the CAR, United Nations
Vanessa Nakate || Climate Activist & Goodwill Ambassador, Unicef
Vera Songwe (Dr.) || Founder & Chairwoman, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility
Victoria Kwakwa || Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank
Wendy Lucas-Bull || Chairperson, Shoprite Holdings Ltd
Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS
Zainab Hawa Bangura (H.E.) || Director General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
Zouera Youssoufou || CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation
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