Kemi Ajumobi 
1. H.E Madam Sahle-Work Zewde
First Female President of Ethiopia
H.E Madam Sahle-Work Zewde, the first woman to hold the office of the President of Ethiopia. She served as President from 2018 to 2024. Born in Addis Ababa in 1950, she studied natural science in France before starting her career as a public relations officer at the Ministry of Education.
In 1989, she became the second woman to be appointed as an Ethiopian ambassador, serving in Senegal and five neighboring countries. She later served as Ambassador to Djibouti (1993-2002), Ambassador to France, and Permanent Representative to UNESCO./ 2002-2006. She was also Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union.
Her extensive United Nations career started in 2009 as the first African woman Special Representative of the Secretary-General-SRSG at the UN peace-building office in the Central African Republic in 2009.
She was appointed Under-Secretary-General and first Director-General of the UN Office at Nairobi in 2011. During that time, she served as mediator in the political crisis in Malawi. She was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to the African Union. She is fluent in Amharic, French and English.
2. Ibukun Awosika
Founder/ CEO, The Chair Centre Group
First Female Chairman of First Bank
Ibukun Awosika is a Nigerian business woman, motivational speaker, and an author. A woman filled with depth that mere words cannot describe. She just always makes sense…consistently for that matter.
Her presence speaks even before she opens her mouth. Indeed, she is a clear definition of an accomplished career woman and an outstanding transformational leader. Ibukun Awosika gracefully stands tall as a light of optimism and intentional impact, positively challenging norms, influencing ethos, aligning minds and nations to purpose. Her multidimensional life and stanch devotion to positive impact always leaves an ineffaceable mark wherever she goes.
A graduate of Chemistry from the University of Ife, Nigeria; She is an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and C.E.I.B.S Business Schools.
She is Founder/ CEO, The Chair Centre Group, Chairman D.light design INC, Digital Jewels LTD, Non-Executive Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., and author of The “Girl” Entrepreneurs and Business His Way.
She is a member of several distinguished corporate boards and was the first female Chairperson of First Bank Of Nigeria. Now, that is how you shatter the proverbial “glass ceiling.”
Ibukun is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business, Management, and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She wears her faith on her sleeves and never ceases to declare her truth about God wherever she goes. An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun, through this faith-based organisation, works with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives through the provision of medical, educational, and other supplies.
She is the Founder of The International Woman Leadership Conference (TIWLC), an initiative of that brings women across Africa and the diaspora together in a place of knowledge, empowerment, and entertainment.
3. H.E. Chief Dr. Jewel Howard‑Taylor
Former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia & Former President of the Liberian Senate
H.E. Chief Dr. Jewel Howard‑Taylor is an accomplished public service professional with over 27 years of impactful leadership across both the public and private sectors, who holds a diverse skill set encompassing public service leadership, law, governance, strategic decision-making and international negotiations, peace and security, humanitarian and social affairs.
An experienced public sector manager, trained diplomat and lawyer, proficient in conflict resolution, peace building, gender development and empowerment, humanitarian and social affairs and strategic treaty negotiations. She is recognised for exceptional communication skills, motivational leadership, mentorship and commitment to gender development, advocacy and Pan-Africanism. With a high proficiency in written communications, as well as intercultural group dynamics.
Driven by a relentless commitment to issues of global development, peace, security, gender, development and transformative leadership, Cllr. Jewel Howard-Taylor’s career embodies a passionate dedication to fostering positive change on both national and international platforms, advocating for inclusive policies and championing gender equality, peaceful coexistence, human rights, and economic empowerment.
She was the former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia and Former President of the Liberian Senate from January 2018-January 2024. Key role as deputy to the President; the President of the Liberian Senate, was ensuring legislative passage of laws and policies essential for guiding the implementation of government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, focusing on poverty eradication, gender equality, SDGs, women’s political and economic empowerment, youth development and healthcare.
4, DR. MONIQUE NSANZABAGANWA
Former Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission
DR. MONIQUE NSANZABAGANWA has 25+ years of experience in strategic leadership. Former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, she implemented an institutional and financial reform and led the strategic planning of the Second Implementation Decade of Agenda 2063- the Decade of Acceleration. Twice in Cabinet of Rwanda, as State Minister for Economic Planning and as Minister of Trade and Industry, then Central Bank Deputy Governor, she significantly contributed to economic transformation in her country.
She is a seasoned financial and economic development expert, with track record of leadership of innovation in promoting intra-African trade and investments. Champion of women, youth, and SMEs participation in value and supply chains and in digital economy as a means to accelerating inclusive growth and shared prosperity, she is intentional in framing accountability and transparency around interventions, as exemplified by her initiative “Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion – WYFEI 2030”. She is adept in fostering strategic partnerships, driving sustainable growth, and implementing effective financial solutions.
Her book, SEED, a legacy to the African Union and an inspiration to the youth, buttresses her thought leadership and commitment to advancing a better world, in which Africa is a powerhouse of solutions, in line with geostrategic mutations and acceleration of Africa’s Agenda 2063 & SDGs with tangible achievements on the ground. As G20 Africa Expert Panel Member, she continues to use global platforms to advocate for unlocking Africa’s potential through strategic partnerships on value chains.
Dr. Monique holds a MA and PhD in Economics from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, which also recognised her academically sound policy work and inclusive approaches with an Honorary Doctor of Commerce. Wife and Mother of two sons and one daughter, she is fluent in English and French.
5. H.E Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim fsi
Hon. Minister of Women Affairs and social development, Nigeria
H.E Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim fsi is an international expert and thought leader in security, conflict resolution, humanitarian and disaster management, development and migration governance. She is driven by a passion to tackle critical and legacy issues impacting women, children, and vulnerable populations, and has dedicated her career to promoting inclusive development, stability, and social equity. Between 2019 and 2023, she served as a member of the Nasarawa State Investment and Economic Advisory Council, where she showcased her policy acumen and strategic insight, contributing significantly to the state’s development agenda while supporting efforts that delivered over $1 billion in investments.
Serving as Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Partnerships to the Minister of State for Education in 2020, she championed the Alternate School Programme, which earned the commendation of the highest policy decision making body in Nigeria – the Federal Executive Council, and continues to be a strategic initiative for reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. In December 2020, Hon Imaan’s exceptional leadership was recognised as she assumed the role of Director-General of The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
In recognition of her reform expertise, and commitment to national security and stability, she was appointed in August 2023, as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the Ministry of Police Affairs (State), making her the First Female Minister of Police Affairs.
As the Minister of Women Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, she is working tirelessly to create a future where every woman, child, and marginalised person in Nigeria can thrive with purpose, equality, and opportunity.
6. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director General of The World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Dr. Ngozi’s voice is respected, convincing and powerful, a tune that resonates with authority and compassion. As the Managing Director of the World Bank, she had oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia.
We speak of her at the global level, but like they say, charity begins at home and home is where Dr. Ngozi also proved her mettle. Dr Okonjo-Iweala twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) where she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club of Creditors that led to the wiping out of $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of $18 billion. Furthermore, she briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions mentioned.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the seventh Director-General of the WTO, the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General. Her first term of office was from 1 March 2021 to 31 August 2025, and was reappointed as Director-General on 29 November 2024. She commenced her second four-year term on 1 September 2025.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala is a recipient of numerous outstanding awards, she graduated magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard University and earned a Ph.D in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is married to neurosurgeon Dr Ikemba Iweala, and they have four children and beautiful grandchildren.
7. Beatrice Eyong
UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria
Beatrice Eyong, a Cameroonian national, is the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria. She has over 35 years professional working experience in promoting gender equality and Women’s Empowerment. Prior to her current appointment, she was the Resident Representative of UN Women, Mali (office with the biggest UN Women’s portfolio in West and Central Africa); Head of UNWOMEN Office in Niger; and she established the Eastern DRC Office in Bukavu. Beatrice has also worked with the Canadian Cooperation Support Office in Cameroon, as a Gender Specialist/Adviser and with UNDP as an agronomist working with the Africa 2000 Network, a UNDP micro-programme in Cameroon. She holds a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Reading, United Kingdom; a Diploma in Women, Extension workers and Agriculture from the Larenstein International Agricultural college – Deventer, the Netherlands; and a Diploma in Integrated Rural Development, from the Pan African Institute for Development West Africa, Buea – Cameroon.
8. Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola
Chairman, Board of Directors, Wema Bank
Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola is an experienced Supply Chain professional and a business associate with over 15 years’ experience in a multinational organisation and over 10 years as a business manager, She possesses a B.Sc. Education degree in Education & Economics from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Liverpool, UK, and a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from Walden University, USA. She Is a well trained professional in various aspects of business management and her work experience spans every aspect of the supply chain including Business & Production Planning procurement, Distribution, Import & Export, and Logistics Services, She is a lover of education. Her widely read publication on small business sustainability strategies was published in the journal of Functional Education FEAcademia), Proguest. com, and Academia,edu, has been referenced by many scholars.
Dr. Olorunshola is a fellow of the International Institute for African Scholars and a chartered member of the Nigerian Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. An ardent believer in community development and in pursuant of this interest, she is a volunteer in many civic activities where she has contributed greatly to the development of her community and other areas of influence.
She joined the Board of Wema Bank Plc. in January 2022, and was recently made the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN).
9. H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Angola
Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko is an Angolan engineer and agronomist with 35 years of experience in agriculture, rural development, environmental governance, and international cooperation. From 2017 to 2024, she served as African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in advancing continental policies on food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Before her election as AU Commissioner, Ambassador Sacko held senior leadership roles in various intergovernmental and national institutions. From 2000 to 2013, she served as the Secretary-General of the Inter-African Coffee Organisation (IACO) in Abidjan, where she managed the coffee economy of 25 African producing countries and advocated for the empowerment of smallholder farmers.
During her tenure, she established Regional Centers of Excellence in Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Cameroon, and Zambia, improving African Coffee quality.
She later served as Special Advisor to the Minister of Environment of Angola and acted as Goodwill Ambassador for the negotiations of the Paris Agreement, participating in both COP21 (Paris, 2015) and COP22 (Marrakesh, 2016). Additionally, she advised the Minister of Agriculture on food and nutrition security and poverty reduction issues and served as the Executive Director of the Fund to Support Agrarian Development (FADA) of Angola in 2016. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with major regional and international institutions, including the African Union (AU), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), African Development Bank (AfDB), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), International Coffee Organization (ICO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and AUDA-NEPAD.
Ambassador Sacko earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science, specialising in Agronomy, with distinction from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria), in 1982, and afterwards she worked in an Angolan cooperative of agriculture production. She also holds postgraduate diplomas in Project Management, International Trade, International Relations, and Peace Keeping (Kofi Annan Institute), as well as a Master’s degree in General Management from the British Institute for Management.
10. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole MFR
Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria
Prior to her current role, she served as the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment (OVP) from October 2023 to October 2024. Under the Buhari Administration, she served first as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, and subsequently as the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business from November 2015 to May 2023. Dr. Oduwole and her team at the PEBEC Secretariat successfully delivered over 200 verifiable reforms across various arms and levels of government.
During her time in public service, Dr Oduwole has worked on various specialised reform committees in the federal government such as AfCFTA implementation Committee and the Tax Policy Reform Committee, and played a key role in the conceptualisation and establishment of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN). She Chaired the Technical Working Team on Legislative Imperatives for the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025.
Recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading reformers, she was awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in May 2023 for her contributions to national development. In 2024, the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) awarded her a “Hall of Fame” honour for her decade-long work on Nigeria’s business climate reforms.
A policy entrepreneur of some repute, she was appointed as a Senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Centre for Business and Government (M-RCBG), Harvard Kennedy School, and as a Governance Advisor to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Governance Lab in 2022, for her innovation in governance.
She previously served on the Board of Ecobank Nigeria, and she has worked in investment and corporate banking at FCMB and GTBank.
11. Amaka Onwughalu
Chairman of the Board of Fidelity Bank
Amaka Onwughalu is the Chairman of the Board of Fidelity Bank. She is Chief Executive Officer of Blueshield Financial Services Limited. Prior to this, she served in executive management positions in different institutions and was the former Group Managing Director of legacy Mainstreet Bank Limited where she led the successful execution of a seamless integration of the bank with Skye Bank Plc where she served as Deputy Managing Director until her retirement in July 2016.
Amaka Onwughalu has over thirty-two (32) years’ banking experience including over 10 years in Executive Management positions at various financial institutions, with proven expertise across diverse segments including Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Treasury Management, Banking Operations and Corporate Banking.
She holds a BSc Degree in Economics from the University of Buckingham, an MSc Degree in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom and an MBA from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She gained further exposure and training at the Executive Business School, INSEAD, France; IMD Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland; Judge Business School, University of Cambridge; and Columbia Business School, USA.
Onwughalu is a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria; a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA); a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM); an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN); and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD). She is passionate about mentoring the Girl Child and committed to supporting women entrepreneurs/professionals to contribute their quota to stimulating economic development in Nigeria. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and recipient of various prestigious awards.
12. Dr. Adaora Umeoji OON
Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc
Dr. Adaora Umeoji is an alumna of the prestigious Harvard Business School, where she completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Programme. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. Additionally, she obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar. Her academic and professional pursuits culminated in a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA, with research focused on inspirational leadership which has been recognised for its significant contribution to leadership and people management.
Her commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence is demonstrated by her participation in executive management programmes at esteemed institutions worldwide, including the MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, where she acquired a certificate in Economics for Business, Harvard Business School, USA with certificates in Leading Global businesses and the executive program in Strategic Management, and Wharton Business School with a Certificate in the Strategic Thinking and Management for competitive advantage program.
She is a certificated Professional Banker of the Chartered Banker Institute, and a distinguished fellow of numerous professional bodies, including the Chartered Bankers Institute of London, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Credit Administration, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Meditators & Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria among others.
13. Aicha Evans
CEO Zooks
Aicha Evans, is a Senegalese business woman leading in technology on a global scale.
She is the CEO of Zoox, an advanced independent mobility enterprise acquired by Amazon for $1.3 billion. Zoox combines advanced AI and precise engineering to deliver a safe and comfortable ride, every time. Their mission is to help people move around safely and wonderfully. Their focus is transportation as a service in cities with a fleet of zero emission vehicles conceived from the ground up for autonomous mobility and unparalleled customer experience.
Her story from Senegal to the peak in the tech sector is indeed a great inspiration for female Africans around the world.
In celebrating 7 years of the company, she recently appreciated her crew for their hard work and dedication. “Without you, Zoox wouldn’t exist. Thank you to Jesse for another year of partnership and camaraderie. Thank you to our partners at Amazon for your continued support and belief in our mission.” She said.
“Thank you to the leaders, regulators, and communities who trusted us to bring Zoox to their streets, and thank you to YOU – our followers and believers, for your excitement and encouragement.” She added.
14. Alice Ruhweza
President, AGRA
Alice Ruhweza is a values-driven global thought leader and systems thinker with nearly 30 years’ experience working at the nexus of environmental, economic, and social development policy and practice. She has deep knowledge and understanding of international development; nature and wildlife conservation environmental sustainability & diplomacy, food systems, sustainable finance, climate change and interrelated issues. She also has a firm grasp of the social, economic, and political landscapes in which these issues manifest.
She is the President of AGRA, a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. They understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets.
As a Systems Thinker, Alice is interested in interconnections and multiple layers, identifying missing pieces, and connecting the dots between People, Planet, Peace and Prosperity.
She has led teams in government, the private sector, the United Nations, and large international NGOs across multiple continents.
15. Cecilia Akintomide
Chairperson,The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund
Cecilia Akintomide is an experienced non-executive director with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry and development finance. Africa expert, skilled in strategy, development finance, international law, project finance, and corporate governance. Champion of women and girls empowerment. Member of the Nigerian Bar and the New York Bar.
Cecilia Akintomide is a seasoned executive with expertise in Development Finance, Corporate Governance, Law, and General Management. She is an Independent Director on the Boards of CcHUB Growth Capital, SWAgCo, an agricultural sector investment company; and Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA).
She was also an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of FBN Holdings Plc. She has served in senior roles including Vice President Secretary General of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Cecilia also served as Head of Public and Private Sector Projects and Policy, in the General Counsel & Legal Department of the AfDB.
Cecilia practiced law in Lagos, Washington D.C., and New York, at the law firms of O. Thomas & Co.; Thompson & Co.; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges, with a focus on Business Reorganisations, Corporate Law and Commercial Law.
16. Dr Awele Elumelu OFR
Chairperson at Transcorp Hotels, Avon Healthcare Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers
Dr. Awele V. Elumelu, OFR is an African business leader, dedicated to transforming healthcare and fostering entrepreneurship across the continent.
She is the Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, Nigeria’s leading health insurance provider, and Avon Medical Practice, a growing network of full- service clinics and medical centres, driven by her commitment to improving access to quality healthcare in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation.
Dr. Elumelu’s organisations and advocacy are tackling challenges around healthcare infrastructure, while championing access to affordable medical insurance and effective healthcare services.
In 2018, Dr. Elumelu was appointed as the Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. She also sits on the Advisory Board of the Yale Institute for Global Health.
Dr. Elumelu serves as a founding Director on the Board of Heirs Holdings, a family-owned investment company committed to improving lives and transforming Africa. She serves as the Chairperson of Heirs Insurance Brokers, the brokerage arm of Heirs Insurance Group, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings.
As the Co-Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Heirs Holdings, committed to empowering entrepreneurs across Africa, she advocates extensively for gender inclusion and youth entrepreneurship across the continent.
Dr. Elumelu holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree, from the University of Benin, with advanced executive and professional certifications from International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland, the Indian School of Business, the London School of Economics & Political Science, and City University of London. Her career as a medical doctor includes experience with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, in Nigeria, and Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham, in the UK.
17. Sylvia Mulinge
CEO at MTN Uganda
Sylvia Mullinge is the CEO of MTN Uganda, which provides a diverse range of voice, data, digital, fintech, wholesale and enterprise services to approximately 16 million subscribers.
She is a purposeful and impact driven leader who is passionate about transforming customers lives using technology as an enabler of positive change that impacts communities and empowers women.
Previously, she served as the Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC where she was instrumental in increasing brand equity metrics for Safaricom, making it the most loved Brand in Kenya. She also spearheaded the growth of Consumer Business revenue resulting in revenue market share growth of 86% between 2018 to March 2022.
Over the last 22 years, Sylvia has developed a strong track record in strategic thinking, brand building, new business development, commercial execution, as well as people growth and development in the Telecommunications and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors.
Representing Africa in the Meta EMEA Client Council, Sylvia is part of a group of leaders from influential brands and agencies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Sylvia is the recipient of several awards and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nairobi where she graduated with the highest distinction of First-Class Honours.
Sylvia is a certified executive coach and mentor in both her personal and professional life.
18. Magatte Wade
Founder, Skin Is Skin
Magatte Wade is a Senegalese entrepreneur, the champion of ‘Prosperity, Not Poverty’ and Senior Fellow at Atlas Network, the leading organisation of African free-market think tanks. She is the founder of Skin Is Skin, a luxury skincare company rooted in African botanical traditions.
Magatte has been listed as a Forbes “20 Youngest Power Women in Africa,” a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and a TED Global Africa Fellow. She is the bestselling author of The Heart of A Cheetah (magattewade.com/book) and host of The Magatte Wade Show.
She’s spoken at the United Nations, Aspen Institute, Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, Yale, MIT, and the TED mainstage. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, the BBC, CNN, Fast Company, Fortune, and the Huffington Post. She has appeared on both Lex Fridman and Jordan Peterson’s podcasts (where she was among the most popular guests), with over 10 million views.
Magatte’s passion for the role of free markets in creating prosperity and the power of enterprise to tackle social issues and promote entrepreneurial education make her a sought-after speaker and thought leader at major conferences, events, and universities around the world.
19. Fatima Dangote
Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations
Fatima Aliko Dangote is Group Executive Director Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL). In this role, she is responsible for driving commercial operations across the various Dangote Business units and oversees the development and delivery of the Holding Company’s commercial brand and communications, strategic procurement and general administration.
Previously, she has worked as the Executive Director, Commercial at NASCON Allied Industries Plc (NASCON), a Technical Specialist in the Strategy Unit and Executive Assistant to the Group Executive Director, Business Development and Portfolio Management at Dangote Industries.
She is a Member of the Nigerian Bar and was previously an Associate at Banwo & Ighodalo. She has also previously run her own independent confectionary business and real estate company. Fatima is passionate about philanthropy and is actively involved in the work of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
She holds a law degree from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom and has attended leadership executive programs at Columbia University, Wharton School, and Cambridge University.
20. Olaitan Martins
Group Executive, Corporate Banking, FirstBank
Olaitan Martins is currently the Group Executive, Corporate Banking. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Executive in charge of the Transaction Banking Division, leading the digitisation and automation of the Trade and Cash management system of the wholesale business of the Bank.
Olaitan has over 25 years’ work experience in various financial institutions, including Investment Banking & Trust Limited, Intercontinental Bank Limited, IBTC Asset Management Limited and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, where she held various leadership positions. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of FirstInsurance Brokers Limited and as a Director of FirstBank Gambia.
Since joining FirstBank in 2014, Olaitan has recorded remarkable achievements instrumental to the re-positioning of FirstBank’s Transaction Banking and Corporate Banking businesses as a credible industry player. She brings her deep market and customer-facing experience to bear in the Corporate Banking Business.
Olaitan has a wealth of experience across Cash Management, Trade Services, Product Development, Relationship Management, Business Development, Risk Management, Wealth and Portfolio Management, Investment Banking, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Management amongst others.
She is currently the Chairperson of the FirstBank Women Network, where she lends her voice to encourage all-round inclusion for women in the workplace. She is a pioneer of change who uses her leadership skills to act as a mentor, sponsor, and advocate for women.
Olaitan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with a Doctorate degree in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Durham, United Kingdom, with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business School, United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
21. Anta Babacar Ngom Diack
Member of Parliament, National assembly of Senegal
Anta Babacar Ngom Diack is an entrepreneur and political party leader. She is currently serving as a Member of Parliament at the National Assembly of Senegal, contributing her experience in governance and leadership. She brings deep expertise in project management, business strategy, and change management to support impactful decision-making and national development.
With extensive leadership experience at SEDIMA GROUP spanning over a decade, she also contributed to strategic planning, business development, and organisational transformation in the food production industry. Also, she combines a commitment to effective governance with a focus on driving sustainable growth and innovation. Sedima is Senegal’s largest poultry company and KFC’s official partner in the country.
According to Tidiane Sow, Associate Director at Lead Consulting, who also worked with Anta on the same team, “Anta was a MAESTRO, known for her focus mindset and her results oriented attitude. That’s how she brought an ambitious idea to life and elected a President.” He said.
22. Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo
Founder/CEO, The DCG Group
Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dosoo is the Founder/CEO, The DCG Group. She works with executives, founders, and senior leadership teams who understand that technical competence may get you into the room but human skill mastery determines who controls the room. At DCG Group, they design and implement transformation programmes that move organisations from potential to performance, not through hype, but through structure.
As a Commercial Leadership Strategist and Executive & Founder Advisor, she helps leaders convert human skills into measurable commercial advantage, revenue growth, influence positioning, decision clarity, cultural alignment, and authority at scale.
She is the architect of the Human Skills Transformation Architecture™, a structured framework designed to help organisations build the human capabilities AI cannot replace: executive presence, strategic communication, influence systems, cultural intelligence, and leadership gravity.
For over 30 years, she has advised corporate leaders, boards, founders, and growth-stage organisations across industries and continents, helping them strengthen leadership architecture, elevate influence ecosystems, and align human capital with strategic performance.
23. Olori Atuwatse III
Queen Consort, Warri Kingdom
The Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, is the epitome of a Modern African Queen—a dynamic and transformational leader celebrated for her unwavering commitment to community development, cultural preservation, and global advocacy. As a lawyer, philanthropist, and SDG ambassador, she embodies the perfect blend of grace, heritage, and contemporary influence, leading with vision and purpose.
Her role as a global advocate for women’s empowerment, founder of Elevate Africa, and social entrepreneur has established her as a prominent voice in advancing education, entrepreneurship, and faith-based leadership. A passionate philanthropist, Olori’s initiatives focus on addressing critical societal challenges, creating equitable opportunities, and driving sustainable development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deeply rooted in her Christian faith and cultural heritage, Olori’s leadership transcends borders. Her ability to balance tradition with modernity has positioned her as a powerful advocate for gender equity, youth empowerment, and Africa’s global relevance.
24. Adiba Ighodaro
Independent Non-Executive Director, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited
Adiba Ighodaro was appointed to the Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited as an Independent Non-Executive Director in April 2021.
Prior to her appointment, she was a founding member and Partner of Actis, a Global Private Equity Firm, where she established and managed both its Nigeria and US offices. Ighodaro has a strong track record in international markets and finance with over 30 years’ experience in legal structuring, development finance, private equity origination, investment and fundraising. She received the 2019 Private Equity Africa special recognition award for being one of the top women deal makers and fundraisers in the industry, recognising leadership over the previous decade and positive impact on women. Adiba is an advocate for diversity and inclusion. During her time at Actis, she initiated the firm’s D&I agenda and was a founding member of Actis’ D&I committee.
Ighodaro also established and chaired the Actis Female Network. Her board expertise spans the UK and Africa with board positions in UK FTSE 100 & 250 companies and pan-African businesses.
Adiba Ighodaro holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from King’s College London and a Diploma in Accounting & Finance from the ACCA. She is also called to the Nigerian Bar and the English Bar (Gray’s Inn).
25. Halima Aliko Dangote
Group Executive Director, Dangote Family Office & International Operations in Dubai and London
Prior to her most recentt role, she was Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited. She also served as Executive Director of Dangote Flour Mills, where she led the successful turnaround and recent sale of the business. Prior to then, she served as Executive Director of NASCON and continues to serve as a Non-Executive Director of NASCON.
She is currently the Board President of The Africa Center (TAC) in New York, a Board member of Endeavour Nigeria and a member of the Women Corporate Directors (WCD). Halima Aliko Dangote started off her career as an Analyst at KPMG and has over 13 years of professional experience, holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Marketing from American Intercontinental University, London, and a Master of Business Administration from Webster Business School.
She is a Trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and is happily married with children.
26. Mariya Dangote
Board Executive, Dangote Cement
Mariya Dangote leads commercial strategy for the cement business. She also oversees strategy for the group’s food operations across markets.
She was Executive Director, Operations for Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. Prior to the announcement on July 2023, she was the Director Strategy/BIP Support with several years’ experience in Risk Management and Business Strategy.
Mariya holds a Bachelor Degree in Law from the Bayero University, Kano, and a Master Degree in Business Administration from the Coventry University, United Kingdom.
She was a Group Strategy Lead, Dangote Industries Limited a position she held until her redeployment to Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in 2019.
Mariya also serves on the Board of Dangote – Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote Cement Limited and Al–Ummah Development Foundation amongst others.
She is a fellow of the National Institute of Credit Administration, has attended many local and international professional training programmes on Leadership, Business Development and Law.
27. Abena Osei-Poku
Managing Director – Ecobank Ghana & Regional Executive, Eco Bank
Abena Osei-Poku is a transformational corporate leader with extensive experience in risk management, governance, strategy, client coverage, business and change management. She has multifaceted board experience in sectors including telecommunications, banking and commerce.
Currently, she is the Chairperson of Ghana Stock exchange and College of Health sciences and Council member of Ghana Association of Bankers and National Banking College. Abena is fluent in English, with a working knowledge of French.
She believes that financial inclusion must go beyond access…it must lead to impact. “At Ecobank Ghana, we are proud to be demonstrating what that looks like in practice: affordable digital accounts, microloans for mobile users, youth ambassadors shaping the future, and women entrepreneurs growing with Ellevate.” She said.
28. Dagmawit Moges Bekele
Director, African Union Peace Fund Secretariat, African Union Commission
Dagmawit Moges Bekele is an African optimist — driven by purpose, grounded in service, and deeply committed to building systems that move the continent forward and deliver lasting impact. By day — and with immense pride, she leads the Peace Fund Secretariat at the African Union Commission, a role she wakes up every morning grateful to fulfill. Alongside a dedicated team, she is working to fully operationalise one of Africa’s most ambitious peace financing instruments. Their mission lies at the intersection of diplomacy, resource mobilisation, fund management, investment and institutional transformation — anchored in a powerful belief: Africa can, and must, own its peace and security agenda.
Previously, she had the honour of serving as Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, where she led transformative initiatives to modernise a sector vital to national development. Dagmawit also served as a cabinet member of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and as a member of Parliament, bringing citizen-centered policymaking into the heart of governance.
She believes leadership should be human, that progress is born of community, and that Africa’s future belongs to those who dare to dream boldly and act practically. Across every stage of her career, she has been committed to cultivating excellence, learning continuously, and unlocking opportunity through meaningful collaboration.
She is a graduate of Public Administration and Development Management from Addis Ababa University, a Master’s degree holder in Public Management and Policy from Addis Ababa University.
29. Mo Abudu
CEO EbonyLife Group
Mosunmola Abudu, ‘Mo Abudu’, is the CEO of the EbonyLife Group, one of Africa’s leading media conglomerates. The group comprises EbonyLife Media, creators of original African content, EbonyLife Place, a luxury entertainment resort, and the EbonyLife Creative Academy, a film school in Lagos designed to accelerate filmmaking skills.
Mo began her career in HR, later owning her own recruitment firm and developing the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park – Nigeria’s first new-build hotel of its type. She then launched her media career with Inspire Africa, an edutainment company designed to inspire, educate, motivate and entertain. The company’s anchor project was Africa’s first syndicated talk show, Moments with Mo, presented and produced by Mo.
In 2013 Mo launched EbonyLife TV, a Pan African entertainment channel on the DStv network, driven by a belief to uplift Africa’s imagine in the media. The channel produced a string of aspirational series and was featured as a Harvard Business School case study in 2021. The EbonyLife brand grew to include EbonyLife Films and EbonyLife Studios with eight blockbusters under their belt.
Mo Abudu has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Babcock University in 2014 and one in 2018 for her contributions to the broadcasting industry in Nigeria by the University of Westminster in London.
She is highly sought after for her knowledge of the African and global creative industry. She has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences in the Producer membership category, making her the first Sub-Saharan African woman to join the Oscars. Forbes Magazine described her as ‘Africa’s Most Successful Woman’, and in 2021, named Abudu as one of the ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’. 2021 was rounded off with Abudu also being counted amongst the Variety500 2021, the benchmark of influencers shaping the global entertainment industry.
Mo has signed deals with partners including Sony, Netflix, AMC, Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios, Will Packer Productions, Starz and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson along with Lionsgate TV, as well as the BBC, to bring original and progressive African stories to the global stage.
30. Victoria Kwakwa
Former Vice President, Eastern and Southern Africa at The World Bank
As the World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa led relations with 26 countries—of which 17 qualified for IDA financing, seven for IBRD financing, and two qualified for a blend of both—and oversaw an active portfolio of 313 operations totaling $58 billion.
Under her leadership, the Bank provided vital support to countries facing complex, multifaceted challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis, climate shocks, food- and energy-fueled inflation, rising debt, and eroding trust in governments. Her priorities include financing projects that boost human capital and strengthened health systems, increase agricultural productivity and food security, build resilience to climate change, promote regional integration, improve access to infrastructure, and support private sector development. Intensifying assistance for fragile and conflict-affected states, promoting gender equality, and providing economic opportunities for youth are core to achieving these goals.
Prior to joining the Eastern and Southern Africa region of the World Bank, Dr. Kwakwa served as the Vice President for Corporate Strategic Initiatives from September 2021-June 2022, working to enhance the World Bank’s operational delivery and impact. She also served as the Vice President for East Asia Pacific from April 2016-August 2021, where she led the Bank’s engagement with 23 diverse clients ranging from countries on the cusp of high income, established middle income, to lower middle-income countries.
In addition, she has extensive experience in Africa, including in Nigeria where she led the Bank’s economic work from 2001-2006 and Rwanda where she was the Country Manager from 2007-2009.
Dr. Kwakwa has deep knowledge of Bank Group operations and strong experience working on issues related to debt and macroeconomic resilience, reforms for economic competitiveness and growth, and fiscal decentralization. She has a track record of putting people at the center of her work, listening to beneficiaries, and striving for good outcomes for clients and their citizens. She has built enduring partnerships with private sector, civil society and other international actors and has demonstrated her ability to mobilize these diverse stakeholders behind shared interests.
Dr. Kwakwa began her career at the World Bank in 1989 as a Young Professional. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Ghana and a master’s degree and PhD in economics from Queen’s University in Canada.
31. Ndidi Nwuneli
President/CEO of the ONE Campaign
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is the President/CEO of the ONE Campaign. She has over 27 years of international development experience.
Nwuneli started her career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company in Chicago. She returned to Nigeria in 2000 to serve as the pioneer executive director of the FATE Foundation. In 2002, she established LEAP Africa to inspire, empower, and equip a new cadre of principled, disciplined, and dynamic young leaders in Africa. She also established NIA to support female university students in Nigeria to achieve their highest potential.
Between 2008 and 2023, she has focused exclusively on transforming the African agriculture and nutrition landscape through her work as the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition – West Africa’s leading agrifood ecosystem consulting firm and AACE Foods.
Ndidi serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, Chanel Foundation, Stanbic IBTC Group, Forum of the Young Global Leaders, & the Bridgespan Group.
She holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honours from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, and the McConnell Visiting Scholar at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
32. Nabou Fall
CEO, Agence VIZEO
Nabou Fall is the CEO of Agence Vizeo. She is also the founder of Nabou Fall Akademy – an academy of leadership coaching and transformational communication.
She spent the essential of her career as an executive at several telecommunications companies such as MTN in Côte d’Ivoire and Congo Republic for 15 years.
These experiences have allowed her to develop critical leadership skills such as efficient communication, team management and empathy. Her cross cultural experience has fostered strong adaptability and agility in the way she handles professional issues.
Nabou Fall is a sought-after public speaker as well as a renowned personal development coach, TEDx speaker, author and mentor in various women’s empowerment NGOs. She collaborates with several magazines due to her commitment to the empowerment of her African sisters.
She holds a master’s degree in Finance and Management from the ISG Paris and is also an Engineer specialised in information systems and networks from the École Supérieure de Génie Informatique de Paris.
She also obtained a leadership certificate from Harvard Business School, a Boardroom Africa certificate from IOD London, as well as a Women Investors certificate from idep and CEA.
Nabou is a Certified Personal Branding Strategist (CPBS), a Certified Digital Branding Strategist (CDBS), an ICF coach and a certified certified Emotional Intelligence & DISC practitioner.
33. Dr. Anino Emuwa
Founder of 100 Women @ Davos
Dr. Emuwa is a Board Director and Chair who convenes private executive and Board-level dialogues at Davos and other global forums, operating at the intersection of business, policy, and emerging technologies.
Anino is the Founder of 100 Women @ Davos, a global platform established in 2019 that brings senior leaders together alongside the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, and other international convenings. The platform facilitates closed, high-trust conversations among decision-makers across sectors, with a focus on leadership, governance, and long-term value creation.
In her Board roles, Dr. Emuwa advises on governance, leadership effectiveness, and strategic oversight, supporting organisations as they navigate complexity, innovation, and structural change. Her work centers on strengthening decision-making at the highest levels and aligning leadership systems with future-facing organisational priorities, including AI and emerging technologies.
With over 25 years of international experience working with senior executives, Boards, and founders, she is frequently engaged to support executive-level discussions on leadership, governance, AI, and institutional readiness. As a trusted convener, she facilitates discreet, peer-level exchanges that help leaders coordinate effectively during high-stakes global forums.
Dr. Emuwa’s work is grounded in the belief that organisations perform best when leadership systems are designed for the future rather than inherited from the past. She is regularly invited to speak at private and institutional forums globally.
34. Damilola Ogunbiyi
CEO and UN SRSG for Sustainable Energy for All, Co-Chair of UN-Energy
Damilola Ogunbiyi is the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (UN SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All, and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. She was recognised in the 2024 TIME100 Climate list as one of the 20 titans in climate; she is the recipient of the First Class Order of Zayed II from the UAE President in recognition of her contribution to the success of the climate conference, COP28; she also received the Global Female Leadership Impact (GFLI) Award in 2024 and the Energy Institute President’s Award for 2023, in recognition of her continued role in solving critical global issues. She has been recognized as a trailblazer in her field by Reuters’ Trailblazing Women in Climate and Reuters’ Trailblazing Women in Energy, among others.
With Ogunbiyi at the helm, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) has entered into working relationships with over 200 partners, supported over 90 countries globally, and secured commitments of more than $1.4 trillion in energy finance.
Through her leadership, SEforALL has grown its global influence and country support providing clear pathways to accelerate progress towards universal energy access, ending energy poverty, and advancing the global just and equitable energy transition.
Prior to joining SEforALL, Mrs. Ogunbiyi was the first female Managing Director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency where she initiated the Nigerian Electrification Project, a $550 million facility which is a joint World Bank and African Development Bank programme that to date has provided energy access to over 8 million people across Nigeria.
35. Zeinab Ayaan Adam
CEO, AFC Capital Partners
Zeinab Ayaan Adam is the CEO of AFC Capital Partners. It is the 100% owned Asset Management Subsidiary of AFC, created to mobilise and manage third party funds thereby unlocking new sources of capital to fund the African infrastructure investment gap – estimated at US$170 billion annually.
Zeinab brings 27 years of visionary leadership and a strong track record in emerging markets investment, asset management, private equity, infrastructure and climate change-related financing products, with a particular focus on African and Asian Markets.
Most recently, she headed the private sector arm of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), established within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Based in South Korea, she played a key role in building the mandate of the GCF Private Sector Facility and rapidly scaling its portfolio to US$2.1 billion in three years across Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Previously, she was CDC Group’s Managing Director of Africa Funds and had a 17-year career with the International Finance Corporation, serving as a Chief Investment Officer among other roles. US-born and raised in Somalia and Tanzania, Adam holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Summa cum laude from Clark University.
36. Lucy Quist
MD/Head of Transformation for Global Transaction Banking, Barclays
Lucy is Managing Director and Head of Transformation for Global Transaction Banking at Barclays.
She is an accomplished strategic business leader with extensive experience in financial services and telecommunications. She believes in collaborative leadership, creating room for people in her teams to succeed together and thrive as they deliver business results. She serves on the boards of INSEAD Business School, CSquared, and Margins ID Group.
She served as Managing Director and Global Head of Firm Resilience at Morgan Stanley, where she led the bank’s Business Continuity, Operational Resilience, 3rd party resilience, Disaster Recovery and Governance functions.
Prior to this, she was the Global Head of Change for Technology Transformation at Morgan Stanley.
She started her financial services career at the Royal Bank of Scotland after her MBA at INSEAD, working in Operations.
She has served as a telecom CEO for Airtel, and held leadership roles at Vodafone and Millicom International Cellular. Early in her career she worked at Ford Motor Company.
Lucy is a chartered electrical and electronic engineer with a first-class honors degree from the University of East London. She speaks French as a second business language.
Her experience in strategy, organisational development, business transformation and growth, combined with her board expertise, make her a valuable asset to the organizations she serves.
She is the author of the book, The Bold New Normal, and Convenor of the annual conference of the same title.
Lucy is passionate about giving back and has written several articles sharing insights on career advancement and leadership.
37. Funke Akindele
Nigerian Actress, Lawyer, Filmaker
Funke Akindele is a multi-award winning Nigerian actress, filmmaker and lawyer. She is also a content creator and realtor. She is best known for her role as “Jenifa” in the hit movie Jenifa and the TV series Jenifa’s Diary. She is a record-breaking producer, with films like ‘Behind The Scenes grossing over N2.7billion, making it the highest grossing movie of all time and all-time highest cinema admissions. Another is ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ which made her the highest –grossing film of 2023 and 2024 with N1.349 Billion.
Funke launched the Creative Blueprint Masterclass to empower women in the industry. According to Funke, the Masterclass is her way of creating a space where women in Africa’s creative industry can gain practical business knowledge, mentorship, and the tools needed to build lasting careers.
For Funke, creativity is not just about expression, it is also about ownership, structure, and building something that can grow beyond you. She is having another one on the 19th of March.
Funke is also the founder of Funke Akindele Network (FAAN. FAAN represents a 360-degree approach to filmmaking and production, as well as providing PR solutions for films. FAAN is the powerhouse behind her record-breaking films.
38. Omoni Oboli
Producer, Director, actress and scriptwriter
Omoni Oboli is a producer, director, actress and scriptwriter, She is a multilingual French Language Graduate from the university of Benin who has produced and directed several groundbreaking Nollywood movies including blockbusters like LOVE IS WAR, MOMS AT WAR and the WIVES ON STRIKE movies which were box office’s successes. Her movie, OKAFOR’S LAW, was part of the official selection for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Stockholm International Film Festival in 2016. She was also an ambassador for the TIFF Share her journey program.
Omoni has won several local and international awards for acting, writing and filmmaking.
Omoni Oboli is a 2018 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. Her YouTube channel Omoni Oboli Tv which was started over a year ago has garnered over 1.8 million subscribers in that time and over 448 million views. She is the YouTube Nigeria content creator of the year and also Silverbird Man Of The Year Tarilblazer awardee. Omoni has made her mark in both big and small screen and keeps conquering territories.
39. Busie Matsiko
Board Trustee at Berkeley College
Busie Matsiko is a Board Trustee at Berkeley College. She also advices top tier CEO’s and C-Suite Executives who could be great additions to your boards. The ultimate compassionate dot-connector, she combines strategic C-level executive networking skills with her professional background in finance and business, active listening skills topped off with a flair for fashion and marketing to deliver boutique consultancy services in the local and international space.
Busie has over a decade of management experience working with established, top-tier financial firms and leading economic development organisations such as Smith Barney, Citigroup, Citibank, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc, SEEDCO and SFS (leading National Economic Development Corporation with a micro-lending arm).
She currently offers executive business development and strategy guidance for global thought leaders and influencers, including event curation, celebrity outreach, healthcare advisory, philanthropy advisory, community outreach, diversity and inclusion advisory, and coaching consulting. Having expanded her business vision to create a better world, she also utilises her expertise to drive private sector engagement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
40. Seipati Asante Mokhuoa
Founder/Executive Chairperson of Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL)
Seipati Asante Mokhuoa is an accomplished business executive and leadership development expert with over 20 years of working experience, 15 of which were in the financial service industry. Currently, she is the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) and is responsible for Strategy and Innovation at HD Afrika.
With her comprehensive understanding of the local, continental, and global business frameworks, Seipati leads efforts to engage and work with diverse stakeholder groups to systematically address the digital divide across the African continent. Recently, under her leadership, the company launched Africa’s largest startup ecosystem – the HD Innovation Hub.
Seipati is a philanthropist who is passionate about the development of the African Continent, with a particular focus on women and youth. She is committed to contributing to Africa’s growing startup ecosystem as an Angel Investor and Ecosystem Builder. The youth and women entrepreneurship, according to Seipati, represents a unique and untapped opportunity for the continent.
Her areas of interest include gender equality, diversity & inclusion, governance & boards, leadership, entrepreneurship development, startups, innovation, & angel investing.
As a former Senator for South Africa at the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), she is well-versed in international business and entrepreneurship. Her invaluable insights into gender equality, parity, diversity, and inclusion have inspired many people.
41. Beatrice Mensah Tayui
Founder & CEO, Cybele Engineering Ltd
Beatrice Mensah Tayui has owned and operated oil and gas exploration and production services businesses under the Cybele name since 2011, initially focusing on West Africa. She later founded Cybele Engineering Ltd., dedicated to exploring and developing Guyana’s historic oil and gas fields. Under her leadership, Cybele Engineering Ltd. was awarded the operating license for Block S7.
Cybele Energy is at the forefront of developing low-risk, high-potential oil and gas Assets through strategic partnerships with global energy and technology leaders. Their exploration and production (E&P) activities are driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Cybele Energy is committed to delivering best-in-class engineering solutions through strategic partnerships with highly innovative technical companies. Their engineering services focus on providing integrated oilfield and production enhancement solutions that drive operational excellence and maximise value for their clients.
Cybele Aqua consultins and delivers projects in defense, oilfields, engineering, and water resources across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, and beyond.
Before founding Cybele, Beatrice held leadership positions at leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Hoffmann-La Roche, and Johnson & Johnson.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and Business Administration from Roosevelt University in Illinois and splits her time between Chicago and Ghana.
42. Tegla Loroupe
Olympic Athlete, World Record Holder
Tegla Loroupe is a former Kenyan long-distance track and road runner. She was the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon. She won twice, once with the highest temperature recorded for the New York Marathon, once with the lowest temperature recorded. She has held many world records.
In 2003, Loroupe founded the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and has been an active advocate for peace. She has been successful in bringing members of warring tribes together in conflict areas in East Africa.
In 2006, she founded the 10km Peace Race, which included 2,000 warriors from six different tribes, who put down their weapon to run in peace in Kapenguria, Kenya. Loroupe said the motivation for the race was to use her fame to help bring about greater harmony.
In 2006, the Secretary of the United Nations, Kofe Annan, named her the United Nations Peace Ambassador, together with Roger Federer, in the United Nations Year of Sport.
She is also a member of the ‘Champions for Peace’ a group of athletes seeking to use the power of sport to bring about peace.
She is a role model and has helped many women widen their horizons and enter new fields in peace-making, education, and sports.
43. Uche Pedro
Founder/CEO BellaNaija
Uche Pedro is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of BellaNaija, a media brand that has been in existence for 20 years (And thriving). They have done excellently well in that space. BellaNaija is Africa’s leading media tech company with digital media superbrands focused on lifestyle, entertainment and advocacy.
As CEO, Uche ensured that BellaNaija’s social footprint expanded to include BellaNaija.com, BellaNaija Weddings and BellaNaija Style. With more than 200 million impressions each month, the BellaNaija brand is focused on consistent progress. In March 2019, Uche was honoured with the Forbes Woman Africa New Media Award for her innovative impact on media in Africa. She is a recipient of several other outstanding awards.
BellaNaija is a leading online platform that focuses on inspiring, informing and entertaining Nigerians, Africans and the world. As a game changer and trailblazer in tech media, they are charged with the responsibility to show the new Africa to the world.
Uche is passionate about progress of youth in Nigeria and across Africa. Uche holds a Bachelors degree – Honours Business Administration (HBA) from the Ivey Business School at Western University in Canada where she graduated with distinction.
44. Aminata Kane
Senior Vice President, Group Country Manager West and Central Africa, Visa
Before Visa, Aminata Kane was the CEO of Orange Money Group, the Fintech arm of Orange in Middle East and Africa. She oversaw mobile money, banking and fintech activities across 17 countries, and was the Chairman of Orange Bank Africa from September 2024-October 2025. From 2018 to 2022, she was the CEO of Orange Sierra Leone and the Chairman of the Board of Orange Mobile Finance Sierra Leone. Under her leadership, Orange Sierra Leone became the market leader, significantly improved its growth and profitability, and has established itself as a key player in innovation with the launches of mobile money microcredit, Orange energy and e-Education.
Prior to this appointment, she was the Chief Marketing Officer for Orange Money in Senegal, a business that has grown exponentially and become profitable in the past two years. From 2009 to 2011, she was a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company in France and Africa, designing strategies and operations for telecommunication and technology providers, banks, and consumer goods manufacturers in Europe and West Africa.
She is a graduate from HEC Paris, earned her MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and is a MIT Legatum fellow. In 2017, she was named Young Leader of the French African Foundation, and in 2019 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. In 2020, at 36, she won the Africa CEO of the Year Award organised by the AfricaCom / AfricaTech Festival.
45. Yvonne Manzi Makolo
CEO of RwandAir
Yvonne Manzi Makolo is an accomplished business leader serving as the CEO of RwandAir, Rwanda’s national flag carrier, since 2018. She is an aviation professional with a strong commercial background gained in the ICT and telecommunication sector in Rwanda and Canada. A senior executive with proven ability to provide innovative and forward-thinking leadership.
With a rich professional background, she embarked on her journey with RwandAir in April 2017, initially joining as the Deputy CEO in Charge of Corporate Affairs. Before her tenure at RwandAir, Yvonne held prominent roles at MTN Rwanda, the largest telecommunication company in the country, where she notably served as the Chief Marketing Officer and briefly acted as the CEO.
Yvonne’s expertise is further strengthened by her educational background, including a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Information Technology. With over 11 years of valuable commercial experience, she has proven her aptitude for strategic decision-making and driving organizational growth.
As a visionary leader in the aviation industry, Yvonne Manzi Makolo continues to guide RwandAir towards new heights, ensuring its prominence as a symbol of national pride and excellence in Rwanda.
Yvonne currently serves as the 81st Chair of the IATA Board of Governorsmarking the first time a woman has taken on this role.
46. Winnie Byanyima
Executive Director of UNAIDS
Winnie Byanyima, a grass-roots activist, human rights advocate, senior international public servant, and world recognised expert on women’s rights, is currently Executive Director of UNAIDS.
Born in Uganda, Byanyima was elected for three terms and served eleven years in the Ugandan Parliament. A world recognised expert on women’s rights, she founded the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), a leading NGO in Uganda and has served at the African Union Commission and at the United Nations Development Programme as Director of Gender and Development. She was Executive Director of Oxfam International from 2013 to 2019 before joining UNAIDS.
Byanyima is a signatory to her country’s 1985 peace agreement and has helped to broker and support women’s participation in peace processes in several African countries.
As part of her drive to bring women’s perspectives into core development issues, she co-founded the Global Gender and Climate Alliance and chaired UN-wide task forces on gender aspects of the Millennium Development Goals and climate change.
Winnie Byanyima has served on numerous global boards and commissions and is currently a member of the Executive Board of the International Centre for Research on Women. She holds a M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in Energy Conservation and the Environment (University of Cranfield, UK), and a B.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering (University of Manchester, UK).
47. Irene Birungi Mugisha Ateenyi
Chief Executive at Presidential CEO Forum
Irene Birungi Mugisha Atenyi, The CEO: Presidential CEO Forum, Former Principal Private Secretary to His Excellence the President of Uganda.
Birungi serves in several capacities as a mother, sister, employee, employer, and wife. Her dedicated faith in God serves as a pillar in her journey.
She believes that we are all purposed to be someone who makes a difference and make an impact that will forever be one’s footprint. She is a seasoned journalist and broadcaster who is nurturing her passion to make a change wherever she is destined.
A publisher in the dailies and as a civil servant, serving her country in a position of influence that has inspired her school of thought in servant leadership.
She is a Co-Founder and Director to a successful PR & Communications Firm in Uganda that boasts of 14+ years of existence providing loyal customer service.
She is the Founder of the Presidential CEO Forum an initiative that links the private sector with government. Her years of continued service under different backgrounds from the private sector to the public sector shaped her thought process into an excellent hard-working personality with an agenda to thrive using her experience as a strategist and lobbyist.
She is the author of the book titled – The CEO in You a Change Maker. Irene, in her line of career, prides herself on strategically transforming organisations through customised corporate solutions.
She is driven by what she does as a leader, with humility, intentional living, integrity, and trade-offs.
Birungi Irene a Ugandan married to Maurice Mugisha Herbert and a mother to three wonderful children.
48. Arunma Oteh
Academic Scholar, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Arunma Oteh served at the World Bank as Vice President and Treasurer from September 30th, 2015 to November 30th 2018. As Treasurer, she led a team that manages assets totalling USD200 billion for the World Bank Group, 60 central banks, sovereign wealth funds and other official institutions. She and her team also maintained the World Bank’s global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower in over 50 currencies by executing well–prepared transactions and carefully coordinating credit rating and capital market relationships for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). She was also responsible for an extensive financial advisory business for World Bank clients and cashflows of over $7 trillion.
Prior to joining the Bank, she served as Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. During this period, she rebuilt the Nigerian capital markets after the global financial crisis and served on Nigeria’s Economic Management team. Prior to joining SEC Nigeria, she worked at the Africa Development Bank for 17 years, including as Group Vice President, Corporate Services (2006 to 2009) and as Group Treasurer (2001 to 2006).
She started her career at Centre Point Investments Limited, Nigeria in 1985. She has served on several Boards during her 33 year career, notably, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (2010 to 2015), which regulates 95% of the World’s securities markets and the pioneer Board of the International Financing Facility for Immunisation (2006 to 2011). She has also previously served on the World Economic Forum Agenda Council on Institutional Governance, and the Africa Advisory Council for World Women’s Banking. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a First Class Honors Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
49. Olatowun Candide-Johnson
Founder/CEO, GAIA Africa
Olatowun Candide-Johnson is a lawyer with thirty+ years’ experience in corporate and commercial law and in business development and governance of multinational corporations. During the course of her career, she worked in Law Practice, Shipping, & Oil and Gas. Whilst working with the Total Group, she worked in different divisions including three years at the New Business (Affaires Nouvelles) Division in the Paris HQ. Before taking early retirement, she held the roles of General Counsel, Executive General Manager, Management Services Division (incorporating Legal, Audit, Insurance and Anti-Corruption Compliance) and Chief Compliance Officer for the Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria.
In 2016, she obtained a Global Executive MBA awarded by LSE, NYU Stern and HEC (Paris), known as the TRIUM Global Executive MBA.After many years in corporate life, she turned her sights to an entrepreneurial pursuit and challenge to open an exclusive space in Lagos to help bridge the “business connections” gap experienced by leading Women in Nigeria.
Olatowun is Chairman of African Delivery Technologies (ADT), parent company of Kwik.delivery, a French start-up which aims to become the first platform for last-mile delivery in urban areas in Nigeria. She is also a Founder Parent of Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, one of Africa’s leading British curriculum preparatory schools in Lagos; Member of the board of directors of the Nigerian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce; “Expert” – African Women on Board (AWB); Member of the Committee on Tourism & Hospitality of the Institute of Directors (IOD).
She is also an angel investor and a member of Rising Tide Africa – a network of female business angels investing in entrepreneurs across the African continent.Olatowun is Wines & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 certified, and Dame Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne (2017).
50. Isi Igenegba
Co-founder Strom Global Services Ltd
Isi Igenegba co-founded Strom Global Services Ltd with her husband, Adolphus Bobby Igenegba, to bridge the gap between industry needs and innovative solutions in the oil and gas sector.
With Isi’s background in geology and experience with BG Group, coupled with Adolphus’s success in petroleum trading, the company was established to provide high-quality products and cutting-edge services to both local and international clients.
From its inception, Strom Global Services Ltd has specialised in bulk importation, distribution, marine support services, and skilled manpower. The company quickly grew into a leading engineering, procurement, and construction firm, expanding its operations into Canada and the United States.
As Director of Strategy, Isi played a key role in broadening the company’s services and enhancing its reputation. The growth of Strom led to the establishment of METSCO Africa, in response to the critical power challenges faced by Nigeria.
Recognising the need for advanced technical expertise in building efficient power systems, Isi Igenegba and her team expanded their operations beyond the oil and gas sector to tackle the energy crisis.
Apostle Isi Igenegba is also a visionary leader and minister dedicated to advancing God’s Kingdom. Known for her dynamic leadership and transformative impact, she empowers individuals and organisations through various initiatives. Her ministry work focuses on raising leaders and driving societal change, embodying a commitment to both spiritual and practical growth. She leads People Of Influence Network, The Mantle Of Deborah Global and she is Founder, Isi Benedicta Institute.