Forbes just released a list of the most powerful women in the world, and 5 African women made the list – who are they?
According to the 22nd annual Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, powerful women have a global impact on ecosystems like nations, commerce, education, and artificial intelligence. 
Based on factors including money, media, impact, and influence, this list identified 100 women, who together have $37 trillion in economic power and impact more than 1 billion people. Here are 5 of them from Africa.
5 Most Powerful African Women
1. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
She won the presidential election in November 2024, and in March 2025, she became Namibia’s first female president.
A former member of the SWAPO party, she has served in a number of capacities, including vice president and deputy prime minister. She has actively advocated for Namibia’s independence from South Africa for more than ten years while living in exile.
2. Judith Suminwa Tuluka
Judith is a prominent Congolese politician who has made history as the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2024.
Before assuming the role of Prime Minister, she held significant positions, including Minister of State and Minister of Planning. She also worked at Citibank and later joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as an administrative and financial assistant, eventually advancing to a role in the United Nations Development Programme.
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3. Mpumi Madisa
Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa, known as Mpumi Madisa, a South African woman made history on 8 March 2019 by becoming the CEO-designate of Bidvest Group, marking her as the first Black and African female appointed as CEO of a company listed among the top 40 on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
4. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, GCON, is a Nigerian economist currently serving as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) since March 2021. She is notable for being the first woman and the first African to hold this role. Okonjo-Iweala has previously been involved with over 20 organisations as a board member.
5. Mo Abudu
Mo Abudu, a Nigerian media mogul who launched Ebonylife TV in 2006, is a prominent figure in international media. Now operating in more than 49 countries across Africa, the UK, and the Caribbean, the network has established important alliances with big businesses like Netflix, AMC Networks, and Sony Pictures Television. Interestingly, it was the first media company in Africa to reach a multi-title deal with Netflix.
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