Key Points
- Five African women feature in Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, shaping global business, politics, and entertainment.
- Notable African leaders include Congo’s first female Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African woman to head the WTO.
- The rankings considered money, media, impact, and influence, evaluating leaders by GDP, population size, revenue, valuations, and social media presence.
Women around the world continue to face systemic challenges that make it harder to achieve and retain power. Yet, a remarkable few are breaking barriers in business, entertainment, and politics, emerging as some of the most powerful individuals shaping our world today.
Among these changemakers, five African women have earned their places on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. They collectively wields $33 trillion in economic power and influences over a billion lives worldwide through groundbreaking policies, bold leadership, and transformative examples.
The list features global icons such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, billionaire pop star Taylor Swift, and philanthropists Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott. Joining these influential figures are African leaders who have shattered glass ceilings, including Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka—the first woman to hold the post—and Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and first woman to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
The rankings were determined using four key metrics – money, media, impact, and spheres of influence. For political leaders, gross domestic product and population size were crucial, while business executives were evaluated based on revenues, valuations, and employee counts. Media mentions, and social reach provided a comprehensive measure across all categories.
Here are the five African powerhouses whose leadership exemplifies resilience, determination, and the ability to drive Africa’s influence on the global stage. Their remarkable achievements stand as a testament to the strides women continue to make despite enduring challenges.
- Judith Suminwa Tuluka
Judith Suminwa Tuluka became the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first female prime minister in June 2024, marking a historic milestone for the country. With a career that began in the banking sector, Tuluka transitioned to roles in United Nations agencies, including as a national expert in community support projects.
Her political journey began in the Ministry of the Budget and progressed through key roles, such as deputy coordinator of the Presidential Strategic Watch Council and Minister of Planning.
Appointed prime minister by President Félix Tshisekedi, Tuluka has become a symbol of progress in African politics. Holding a master’s degree in applied economics from Université libre de Bruxelles, her leadership stands as a beacon of empowerment in a male-dominated field.
- Mpumi Madisa
From humble beginnings in Mohlakeng, Gauteng, South African business executive, Mpumi Madisa, has risen to become a groundbreaking business leader.
Armed with degrees in economics, mathematics, and finance from Wits University, she joined Bidvest in 2003, eventually becoming its CEO in 2020—the first Black woman to lead a top-40 company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
Under Madisa, Bidvest has experienced extraordinary growth. The group’s market capitalization surged to R93.84 billion ($5.2 billion), with net profit rebounding from a loss in 2020 to R6.77 billion ($373.77 million) by June 2024.
Her success demonstrates resilience and strategic vision, cementing her status as a pioneer in South Africa’s corporate landscape.
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Harvard-educated Nigerian economist, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has a storied career spanning over three decades in international development and finance. Since 2021, she has served as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the first woman and first African in the role.
Previously, Okonjo-Iweala held senior roles at the World Bank, served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, and chaired several global initiatives, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Her belief in trade as a tool for poverty alleviation has defined her leadership, earning her recognition as one of Forbes’ Top 100 Most Powerful Women for five consecutive years.
- Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia Suluhu Hassan made history in March 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president. Born in Zanzibar, she rose through political ranks, serving in roles such as Minister of State and Vice President before ascending to the presidency following John Magufuli’s death.
Hassan has championed issues such as vaccine equity on the global stage, notably addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2021. Her educational background includes a master’s degree in community economic development, which she has applied to policies fostering economic growth and unity in Tanzania.
- Mo Abudu
Nigerian media mogul, Mo Abudu, has transformed African storytelling through EbonyLife Media, which now airs in over 49 countries. Known for striking major deals with Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, and AMC Networks, Abudu has positioned African narratives on the global stage.
Her collaboration with Netflix marked a historic moment, as EbonyLife became the first African media company to sign a multi-title agreement with the streaming giant. Through her ventures, including the newly launched Mo Abudu Films, she continues to amplify underrepresented voices and redefine African cinema.
