3Music TV 40 Women in African Entertainment

This must be one of the toughest shortlists ever, only because there’s a large pool of women acing it.

Women in entertainment in Africa are doing beyond amazing on and behind the scenes, so much so that their successes and wins have become palpable. 

We doff our hats to every single woman doing her thing, contributing her quota, transforming and growing the game and attaining excellence.

3Media Networks and 3Music TV acknowledge the contributions of all selected ubertalented creative personalities and entrepreneurs. In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, we congratulate you all for your strides and progress in the entertainment industry in and beyond your countries and beyond the African continent.

Little drops of water they say make a mighty ocean and your contributions to the entertainment ocean do not go unnoticed.

Let’s progressively #AccelerateAction.

1.     Afeafa Nfojoh

Afeafa Nfojoh is a distinguished television producer and director, renowned for her significant contributions to the media landscape. As the General Manager of 3Group, housing TV3 and 3FM, she plays an important role in steering the affairs of the media house.  

Afeafa served as the General Manager of Adesa Productions Limited, the production arm of Media General and under her leadership, APL produced several acclaimed television programs - Date Rush, Ghana's Most Beautiful, Mentor, Talented Kidz, Ladies Circle and Showbiz 360.

Afeafa's exceptional work has garnered international acclaim, with some productions being showcased at numerous prestigious film festivals including Aniwa Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, FESPACO in Burkina Faso and many more.

2.     Amaarae

Singer and songwriter Amaarae, is globally known for her unique voice and cutting-edge sound fusing Afrobeats, Alté, Pop and R&B.

Since writing her first song at 13 years, inspired by Kelis, Amaarae has remained consistent with her art, dropping enviable bodies of work like Passionfruit Summers, The Angel You Don’t Know, Fountain Baby and its deluxe, Roses Are Red, Tears Are Blue.

Putting her on the global stage was Sad Girlz Luv Money featuring Moliy and later, Kali Uchis on the remix. The song went ahead to top charts, was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and named Best New Music and 19th best album of 2020 by Pitchfork. 

Amaarae’s Fountain Baby album and its deluxe is one that can be described as having no bad song.

She has pushed boundaries with performances at ACL Fest, Broccoli City Festival, Primavera Sound, her tours in Los Angeles, Houston, Brooklyn, London, Berlin, Toronto, Amsterdam, Paris to name a few, and supported Sabrina Carpenter on her Short N’ Sweet tour. 

To support Los Angeles fire relief efforts, Amaarae collaborated with illustrator Felicia Podberesky to design her Come Get This Water apparel collection in partnership with Red Cross. 

In 2025, Amaarae is set to perform at Coachella in California as the first Ghanaian, Afro Nation in Portugal, The Governors Ball Music Festival in New York, Lowlands Festival in Netherlands, Osheaga Festival in Canada, Way out West in Sweden and a lot others.

3.     Aya Nakamura 

French-Malian singer, songwriter and influential contemporary Pop and Afrobeat star, Aya Nakamura, gained groundbreaking recognition with her unique blend of Afro-pop, R&B and urban music, becoming a major figure in francophone music worldwide.

Born Aya Danioko in Bamako, Mali and raised in France, she comes from a family of storytellers and musicians, making it no wonder she chased music passionately. 

Aya Nakamura first gained recognition in 2015 with her song Karma, but globally broke through with Comportement in 2017. Her albums include Journal Time, Nakamura, Aya and DNK. Nakamura has the song Djadja which gave her a few firsts - topping Dutch charts as first French-speaking female artiste in over 50 years and recently surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube, the first female African artiste to attain this feat. 

On Spotify, the 2018-released Nakamura album surpassed 1.9billion streams in August 2024. 

She is one of the most listened to French artistes the world over and has collaborated with Fally Ipupa, Burna Boy, Stormzy, Fababy, Maluma and more.

Her most recent release, Chimiye, has soared past 1.5 million views in 14 days of its release. 

In making career strides, Nakamura performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in July, clocking over 31 million viewers. 

4.     Beatrice Agyeman Abbey

Beatrice Agyeman Abbey is a media executive and C.E.O of Media General. At TV3, Beatrice rose through the ranks from news anchor to Group CEO and during this period, Media General expanded its platforms.

Beatrice began her career in media in 2000 as a reporter where she advanced to Broadcast Journalist, News Anchor and later served as Managing News Editor. During her tenure as Managing News Editor, she built a formidable team that won numerous awards, making TV3's news and current affairs programs influential in shaping public discourse. In November 2016, she was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TV3 and progressively assumed the role of Acting CEO of Media General in September 2018.

Beatrice’s 2023 initiative, Connect Ghana, brought internet access to rural schools, earning her the Digital Leadership Award at the Africa Digital Economy Forum.

5.     Berla Mundi

Outstanding media personality, Berla Mundi, has dedicated her voice and talent to the entertainment industry for over a decade. Transitioning from beauty queen to television and radio presenter, Berla has hosted these television and live shows and more in her 10+ years in media - The Day Show, New Day, The Late Afternoon Show, 66th Grammy’s African Nominee Brunch, Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Global Citizen Festival Accra & Paris, MTN Hitmaker, Miss Malaika, Glitterati. 

She establishised Berla Mundi Foundation in 2015 to give back to society and the B.You campaign in 2018, an empowering mentorship and career guidance platform that supports female students, professionals & entrepreneurs on their journeys.

Berla Mundi has won a number of awards including Best Female Events MC at Ghana Events Awards, Favorite TV Presenter at People’s Choice Celebrity Awards, Ghana Woman of the Year - Young Star Award, Avance Media’s Most Influential Media Personality Award. 

6.     Beryl Agyekum

Beryl Agyekum-Ayaaba, founder and CEO of EchoHouse Ghana Limited, is a seasoned marketing executive and entrepreneur.

EchoHouse is a youth-driven and focused 360° creative marketing agency with significant presence in and out of Ghana, executing market savvy campaigns for Vodafone Ghana - now Telecel, Guinness, Samsung, Unilever, Smirnoff, Access Bank, ECG and a plethora of companies. 

One of her products, Epilogo, stood as the biggest campus night party for several years, drawing in students from other tertiary institutions and non-students alike. 

Beryl and her dedicated team have flown the Tidal Rave flag so high, it has become an annual music festival no one wants to miss. One notable and laudable success of Tidal Rave is its support for Ghanaian artistes year after year. 

7.     Boity Thulo

Multifaceted and multitalented! Her name is Boitumelo Thulo, South African television personality, model, rapper, actress and entrepreneur.

Boity has had presence in the entertainment industry since 2010, appearing in television shows like Zoned, Crib Notes and The Media Career Guide and also starring in Rockville, the Mzansi Magic series. 

Boity signed to Def Jam Africa in 2020 after starting music in 2018 with her Nasty C-featured debut Hip-hop single Wuz Dat? Her 4436 EP is her door opener for receiving nomination for Best Hip Hop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.  

As an entrepreneur, she owns a denim line on which she collaborated with Sissy-Boy to celebrate body positivity, owns a fragrance line in partnership with Impulse SA and the BT Signature drink. 

Boity has climbed up the ladder of entertainment industry prominence through hard work, commitment and consistency.

8.     Bonang Matheba

Some call her Bonang, others call her Queen B.

Bonang Matheba is a South African television and radio personality, reality television star, actress and businesswoman who has gracefully established herself as a prominent figure in the African entertainment industry.

Her career spans twenty-three years, starting with the SABC 2 kids’ show, Manhattan Fantasy Challenge at the age of 15 and breaking through in 2007 as host of SABC 1’s music show Live, which became Live Amp.

Bonang’s TV shows hosted include Top Billing, Afternoon Express, and Clash of the Choirs SA.

As a radio presenter, Bonang became a notable voice on YFM and later on Metro FM, hosting The Front Row.

Her reality TV show, Being Bonang, gives her fans a look into her personal and professional life and is produced by her production company, Bonang Matheba Entertainment. She also owns House of BNG, selling a variety of premium sparkling wines. 

Bonang has chalked remarkable successes in her career - becoming the first international ambassador for Revlon outside the United States, featuring in Forbes Woman Africa and co-hosting the first Africa-held Earthshot Prize Awards in Cape Town, South Africa. 

9.     Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori

Popularly known as Kiekie, Bukunmi is a comedian, actress, fashion designer and content creator celebrated for her relatable skits, humour and MCing, blending Yoruba and English.

Her journey took off on Instagram, where her humour takes on everyday Nigerian life often featuring her alter-ego Mama Kiekie.

Kiekie’s Fashion Shock Show was an honest fashion review show that entertained netizens. Her breakout moment came with her 2020 skit series about African Mothers, which humorously depicted the quirks of Nigerian parenting, earning her accolades and a nomination for the AMVCA Digital Content Creator award.

She expanded into acting, starring in Traffic, Mimi, A Simple Lie, House Of Money, Muri & Ko, Queen Lateefah, Alakada: Bad and Boujee and more.

In 2024, she launched Kiekie Unscripted Experience, an entertaining talent show bringing together celebrities for a competition.

10.  Caroline Sampson

Caroline Sampson is a radio and television personality and voice-over artist whose charismatic presence has made her a household name in Ghana and beyond. Starting her career at Atlantis Radio in Accra, she rose to fame with her bold, engaging style on YFM’s Myd Morning Show and later The Late Nite Celebrity Show on eTV Ghana. 

With Caroline’s musical roots, she once fronted a band where she picked the inspiration for the curation of the Sampson Sessions, a live music series spotlighting emerging Ghanaian artistes like Black Sherif and Amaarae.

Her 2023 project, Caroline’s Corner, a lifestyle talk show, became a hit for its candid celebrity interviews and cultural commentary.

 Caroline mentors young broadcasters through her CS Media Academy.

She won Best Female Radio Personality at Ghana Entertainment Awards and is the first Ghanaian to win Best Presenter at the Stars Integration of Culture of Africa Festival in Benin.

11.  Colette Amaeshi

Colette Amaeshi is the Managing Director of Pulse Ghana, a leading media company operating across multiple African countries. She has successfully leveraged her extensive experience in marketing and communications to drive the brand’s strategic initiative and growth in the Ghanaian market.

Known for her passion for storytelling, Colette excels in crafting unique brand narratives. Her expertise lies in stakeholder communications, relationship management and navigating the complexities of multinational and Pan-African business dynamics.

Colette has previously held roles as Head of Strategy, Brand Communications & Marketing at ULTIMUS Holdings, Marketing Communications & Business Development Manager at Miniso Nigeria and Manager of Marketing Communications at Broll Nigeria.

Her leadership at Pulse Ghana underscores her commitment to innovation and excellence in the African media landscape.

12.  Deloris Frimpong Manso

Starting in media at 17, Deloris Frimpong Manso is a radio and television show host, movie producer, serial entrepreneur and public speaker. 

Her longstanding self-titled Delay Show is one of the most watched shows by Ghanaians in and out of the country, totaling 84,294,110 views on YouTube presently. 

Her entrepreneurship journey has taken her down the lane of creating her Delay range of products - mackerel, sardine, spaghetti, shito, bread, creamer, tuna flakes and Lala sardine.

She is a truth speaking public speaker who through her speaking engagements tells her life’s story to motivate and inspire women and the youth.

13.  Diana Hamilton 

Diana Antwi Hamilton is a nurse, gospel musician and songwriter renowned for her powerful vocals and soul-stirring lyrics. Diana’s musical journey began at age 13 as a backing vocalist for Francis Agyei.

She released her debut album, Ɔsoro Bɛkasa in 2007, and followed up with Ensi Wo Yie, Blessings, and Yehowah, planting her feet firmly in the gospel music industry.

Diana Hamilton is the first female gospel artiste to win Artiste Of The Year at VGMA in 2021, same year she won Gospel Artiste of the Year with her song Adom.

She founded the Diana Hamilton Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at supporting the underprivileged in society.  

Diana Hamilton’s Awake Experience has seen multiple glorious installments with the 2025 edition held in Accra, Kumasi and Sunyani subsequently.

14.  Doja Allen

Adedoja Allen, fondly called Doja Allen, is a recognized media executive serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of City 105.1 FM, based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Through her strategic leadership and innovative approaches, she transformed the radio station's fortunes, elevating it from the 24th position to among the top 10 most preferred stations by listeners in Lagos within her first three years.

She is founder of City Media Academy, a media production and broadcasting institution offering holistic media education and capacity development programs for young ones aspiring to pursue careers in media.

15.  Empress Gifty

Empress Gifty, is a gospel singer, songwriter and television host popular for her performance craft. Her artistic works include Aseda, Adom, Feefeefe, Jesus Be Too Much, Jesus Over Do, Odi Yompo, Eye Woaa, Awiey3 Pa, Watch Me and more.

She hosts U Cook on UTV, whipping up delicious meals and interesting conversations with her celebrity guests. 

Her annual headline concert since 2019, The Resurrection Effect Concert(TREC), is heavily patronized and talked about for its impact year on year.

Some awards Empress Gifty has won are Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Gospel Artiste Of The Year and Gospel Album Of The Year and Gospel Music Awards Italy’s Best Female Gospel Musician Of The Year.

16.  Funke Akindele

Celebrated actress, filmmaker, producer, director, writer, realtor and politician, Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, is a creative who is relentless in the pursuit of her dreams.

Funke Akindele has sustained her career in entertainment since 1998, immensely contributing to Nigeria’s movie industry.

She has starred in I Need To Know, Final Whistle 1 & 2, Sharon Stone, Egg Of Life, Atlanta, Kosefowora, Agbe Fo 1 & 2, B'aye Ṣe Nlọ, Kujenra, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency, Far From Home, Reel Love and an endless list of movies and series. 

Her own productions have been warmly and widely accepted - Jenifa’s Diary, Industreet, Omo Ghetto 1 & 2, Battle On Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah and most recently, Everybody Loves Jenifa which has broken Nigeria box office as the highest grossing movie of all time accumulating N1,882,553,548. 

Her award wins include Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actress at Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best Actress in a Leading Role at Yoruba Movie Academy Awards, Globe Award Honoree at Africa International Film Festival, Honorary Award at Africa Cinema Summit Legacy Awards and more.

17.  Gina Nettey

Gina Nettey is a businesswoman and creative entrepreneur who owns a logistics company that fully supports live entertainment shows and marketing events. She created and has successfully grown the annual Women In Worship concert, unearthing talented gospel artistes, giving female gospel artistes a platform and honoring their accomplishments.

Owner of Genet services, a dynamic event management firm, Gina has successfully executed public and private events on small and large scales. 

As Ghana's foremost entertainment logistics and equipment company, she has offered top notch supplies and rental services to facilitate most of the nation's biggest, successful and iconic events.

18.  Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante

Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante is a legendary filmmaker, writer, director, producer, creative entrepreneur and movie industry figurehead. She chairs the board of the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), is the Founding President of the Black Star International Film Institute and its Black Star International Film Festival, and the recent past Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana. 

Her passion to further elevate Ghana’s movie industry saw her flawlessly execute her role as the Executive Secretary of the NFA.

She has served as a mentor on entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Business and lectured at Webster University Ghana, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry talent.

As convener of Africa Cinema Summit, Juliet and her able team brought together actors, filmmakers, producers, directors, investors and industry stakeholders from across the world to help propel Ghana and Africa’s film industry. 

19.  Kemi Adetiba

Kemi Adetiba is an outstanding filmmaker, director and producer celebrated for her innovative storytelling and dynamic visual style in both music videos and feature films.

Kemi began her career directing music videos. Her creative approach and keen visual sense set her in quick motion in the industry.

She transitioned into feature filmmaking and is known as one who pays attention to details. Her bodies of work fuse striking visuals, compelling storytelling with quality casting and project execution in further pushing the boundaries of Nollywood. 

Her objects of art include - Across A Bloodied Ocean, The Wedding Party, King Of Boys, King Of Boys: The Return Of The King and To Kill A Monkey and more.

Naming a few, her artistry has swept numerous nominations and awards at Soundcity TV Music Video Awards, Nigerian Entertainment Awards and City People Entertainment Awards.

20.  Mo Abudu

Mosunmola Abudu, more often called Mo Abudu, is a revolutionary media mogul, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has reshaped the African entertainment industry. Known for her firm leadership and creatively liberating approach to storytelling, she has made a valuable name for herself.

Mo Abudu started her Moments With Mo show in 2006, a show that fast became a syndicated show across the African continent, interviewing influential personalities. 

In 2013, Mo Abudu founded EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network. Under her leadership, the network has produced popular TV series and films that tell authentic African stories. In a strategic move that has contributed to elevating African and Nigerian stories, she has partnered with Netflix, Sony Pictures Television and Westbrook Studios to co-produce and distribute African content internationally.

She quite recently collaborated with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures to produce projects that uplift Diasporan and African talent, first of which is Dust To Dreams.

On her list of productions are: Castle & Castle, The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Your Excellency, Òlòture: The Journey, Blood Sisters, Iyawo Mi etc 

In 2018, EbonyLife Media Group expanded into EbonyLife TV, EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Place and EbonyLife Creative Academy.

21.  Murugi Munyi 

Murugi Munyi is a well-known content creator, entrepreneur and influencer popular for her authenticity, inspirational content, candid discussions on motherhood, lifestyle and personal experiences. She began public relations and communications, collaborating with East African Breweries Limited, British American Tobacco, Uber East Africa and Unilever. 

Transitioning to digital content creation, she co-hosts The Messy Inbetween podcast with Lydia Mukami, which has garnered a substantial following on YouTube.

Wild by Murugi, her fashion brand, was launched in 2021, selling clothing, accessories and handbags, with a focus on plus-size fashion.  

22.  Naa Ashorkor

Nisirine Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku is a celebrated spirited media personality whose dynamic career spans broadcasting, acting on screen & theatre, content creation and entrepreneurship.

Naa Ashorkor became a household name by hosting Miss Malaika Ghana for eight years, Just The Law, Tales From The Powder Room, Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, The Zone, Showbiz A-Z, We Got This Africa, 3Music Awards, Between Hours and Just Us.

Her breakout role came with the 2009 film The Perfect Picture, after her role in Scorned.

She won the Best Actress award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2010 after her role in Perfect Picture. She has acted in Adam’s Apple, Checkmate, Evor, One More Day, Aloevera, Poisoned Bait, The Perfect Picture – Ten Years Later, For Love and Country and others.                     

Her stage acting includes The Vagina Monologues, Run For Your Wife, Medicine For Love, Dinner For Promotion, Prison Graduates and more.

Naa Ashorkor owns and leads April Communications, churning out theatre productions like The Legend Of Aku Sika, A Detective Calls, The Marriage Of Anansewa, Agoro, Foriwa, The Gods Are Not To Blame and the groundbreaking A Home Beyond The Walls - staged by female inmates in Nsawam Prison. 

23.  Nana Ama McBrown

Her Excellency Nana Ama McBrown is a charismatic, energetic actress and TV host.

Her transition from actress to tv host is one for the books, scaling over opinionated naysayers to hold her passion firmly, hosting McBrown’s Kitchen, United Showbiz and now Onua Showtime. 

Nana Ama McBrown has acted in over hundred movies - Madam Joan, Aloevera, Kumasi Yonko, John and John, The Sextape, Asoreba, Sidechic Gang, Galamsey, Comimg to Africa, Ultimate Betrayal, Ama Pooley and a flood of others.

Awards bagged are: Best English Actress, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Traditional Movie at Kumawood Awards, Ghana Outstanding Women Awards, TV Female Entertainment Show Host of the Year.

Nana Ama McBrown has sealed countless ambassadorial deals which include Hisense Ghana, Tasty Tom, Kasapreko Royal Energy Drink, Amalena Children’s Haven, Kivo Ghana, Sintex Tank Ghana and Deedew Spices

24.  Nazizi Hirji

The First Lady of East African Hip-Hop, is a Kenyan rapper and radio host who contributed to shaping the region’s music scene. Nazizi shot to fame in the late ‘90s with the trio Necessary Noize on their 2000 hit Bless My Room, blending Hip-hop, Reggae with Swahili language.

Her solo debut, Ladha in 2004, certified her as a trailblazer.

Nazizi’s 2021 album, Queen of the Game, fused Afrobeats and Dancehall, with the single No Lie, charting across Kenya and Tanzania. She’s graced stages at Sauti Za Busara and the Nairobi Hip-hop Festival, where her commanding presence was unmatched.

In 2024, she collaborated with Sauti Sol on a regional anthem for unity. Nazizi is booked for Afro Nation 2025 in Miami and a headline slot at Uganda’s Nyege Nyege Festival, promising to keep East Africa’s Hip-hop flame burning.

25.  Peace Hyde

Peace Hyde is a British-Ghanaian media personality, television producer, journalist and education activist, celebrated for her multifaceted contributions to media and education across Africa.

She has hosted My Worst Day with Peace Hyde and Against the Odds with Peace Hyde, interviews in which she chats with Africa’s billionaires and influential figures about their journeys and challenges.

She is the Head of Digital Media and Partnerships & West African Correspondent at Forbes Africa, creator and executive producer of Netflix’s first African reality TV series, Young, Famous & African, founder of Aim Higher Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education across Africa. 

Peace Hyde has won the African Social Impact Award at the House of Parliament in UK and the African Growth Story award at the Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism. 

She has also earned recognition as the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent and made the shortlist of 200 leaders of Obama Foundation Africa Leaders program.

26.  Rashidatu Yasmine Abdulai

Rashidatu Yasmine Abdulai is a marketing and media professional, with a wealth of knowledge in developing focused digital and traditional B2B strategies. Her smooth transition to media as Chief Executive Officer of 3Media Networks is admirable. 

As C.E.O of 3Media Networks, she has been instrumental in managing and sustaining the company. Her intentionality reflects in her recruitments since her appointment as C.E.O - increasing the number of female employees by ninety percent. 

Under her visionary leadership, the company continues to grow and spread its business across television and radio, live shows, digital media, media consultancy and production and has triumphantly executed 3Music Awards 2024, Pent Hall Week 2024, Sallahfest 2024, 3Music Women’s Brunch, Shades Of Love 2025, ReFresh and more.

3Music TV has beautifully grown from being a music only television station to adding on the Culture Daily Morning Show, 3hread, Game On, Just Vibes, Chef It Up and more.

Rashidatu is dedicated to promoting Ghanaian music and entertainment to the world.

27.  Shirley Frimpong Manso 

Shirley Frimpong-Manso is a creative and insightful film director, writer and producer.

She is the founder and CEO of Sparrow Productions, specializing in film, television and advertisement. A company she established in 2003. She is also a principal of Sparrow Station, a video streaming service for African entertainment from Sparrow and other African film producers.  

Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s imaginative storytelling and commitment to quality have significantly influenced the Ghanaian and African film industries and placed her among Africa’s leading filmmakers.

Some of her creative works are Life and Living It, Scorned, A Sting In A Tale, The Perfect Picture, Checkmate, Adam’s Apple, Potomanto, Shampaign, Eno and Two Of A Kind.

With these bodies of work, she has won awards at Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Pan African Film & Arts Festival and Citi TV Entertainment Achievement Awards. 

28.  Sho Madjozi

Cultural icon Sho Madjozi is a multitalented South African musician, rapper, actress and dancer known for her energetic performances, vibrant fashion and a sound that fuses traditional Tsonga music with modern Hip-hop and Pop, redefining contemporary African music.

Sho Madjozi has released Dumi HiPhone, Kunjani, Shahumba, Chale, Kona, Toro, Jamani, Stepping Good and burst onto the music scene with her song Wakanda Forever, paying homage to Black Panther.

Her creative works are a reminder that deep roots in one’s African identity don’t make them archaic.

Her performances are a combined visual and auditory celebration of African culture and redefine what it means to be an African artiste shining globally. 

She was recognized in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 in 2019, has earned the Best New International Act at BET Awards, Newcomer of the Year and Best Female Album at South African Music Awards.

29.  Soraya Opare-Riley

Soraya Opare-Riley is a creative professional recognized in Ghana and beyond for her work in artiste and project management, event planning, protocol services and business development. She is founder of Backstage Events, Ghana’s first and only green room company, specializing in artiste and VIP hospitality management.

With over a decade in industry, she has played a pivotal role in producing the following high-profile concerts, corporate events, productions and award shows - The Bar Concert, Ghana Music Awards, Livespot Nigeria (Cardi B concert), Afro Nation, 3Music Awards, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Italian Embassy Ghana, Rotary Ghana, EU Delegation Ghana, Shey by Menaye etc

She has liaised with record labels, artistes, directors and production teams to execute music and media projects cumulating over 25 music videos and over 50 photo campaigns.

Soraya Opare-Riley has built a reputation as one of Ghana’s most accomplished event producers and beyond her extensive work, she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of event professionals and contributing to shaping the future of Ghana’s entertainment industry.

30.  Tems

Temilade Openiyi, globally known as Tems, is an accomplished songwriter, record producer and singer who is leaving indelible marks on the global music landscape with her soothing soulful sonics which blends alternative R&B, Afrobeat and Soul.

Tems launched her career in 2018 with Mr. Rebel and continued to dedicate herself to her craft. This dedication led her to her Essence feature with Wizkid and later Justin Bieber.

Tems is recognized as a composer on Rihanna’s Lift Me Up, she has featured on Drake’s Fountains, Future’s Wait For U and has a long list of sought-after songs. Wait For U debuted at number one on Billboard Hot 100, making Tems the first Nigerian artiste to achieve this. 

Tems did a cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry for soundtrack album on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Her awards include her first Grammy Best Melodic Rap Performance on Future’s Wait for U, Best International Act award at the BET Awards, NAACP Image awards for International Song and Music Video for Essence in 2022, International Song 2023 and International Song 2024.

She most recently received a Grammy for Best African Music Performance for her mainstream song Love Me Jeje and this makes her the first Nigerian artiste with 2 Grammys. 

31.  Terry Pheto

Moitheri Pheto, is a famed actress and producer renowned for her important contributions to both South African and international cinema.

Her international break came with her portrayal of Miriam in the 2005 film Tsotsi, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, from there spreading her wings internationally. Terry Pheto took up a recurring role as Dr. Malaika Maponya on the American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

Terry Pheto starred in How to Steal 2 Million, a role for which she was awarded Best Supporting Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards.  

She has also been in theatre productions like The Toilet and The Devil’s Protest. 

32.  Theresa Ayoade

Theresa Ayoade is a business executive, philanthropist and the CEO of Charterhouse, a production and event management company.

Her intuitive, innovative leadership grew the company into a powerhouse after co-founding with her husband. Charterhouse has orchestrated high-profile events and shows including Telecel Ghana Music Awards, Miss Malaika Ghana, A Night Of A Thousand Laughs and Music, The Challenge, Stars Of The Future to mention a few.

Her leadership earned her the 2022 Women in Business Award from the African Leadership Magazine and awards at Ghana Event Awards.

Theresa’s philanthropy shines through her Ayoade Foundation, which handles scholarships and financial assistance, community development, orphanage and inmate support and youth empowerment.

33.  Tiwa Savage 

Tiwatope Savage-Balogun is a high-flying artiste and actress who has significantly influenced the global music scene with her unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B and Pop.

She started music at 16 years, becoming a backing vocalist for George Michael and Mary J. Blige and has written for Fantasia, Babyface, Monica, Kat Deluna and Mýa.

Tiwa’s first album was released in 2013, titled Once Upon A Time, on which was her hit song Eminado. Several hit songs have followed, giving Tiwa a very impressive music catalogue and earning her the name Queen of Afrobeats. 

Tiwa has served us back-to-back tunes like Lova Lova, Kele Kele Love, Ma Lo, Bad, All Over, Koroba, Somebody’s Son, Loaded, Pick Up, Stamina and the very recent Mega Money Mega. 

She constantly brings her sauce and sass to all her collaborations - Don Jazzy, Brandy, Asake, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Young Jonn, Patoranking, Spyro, Bella Shmurda, 1Da Banton, Busy Signal, MzVee, Omarion and Davido.

She produced her first feature film, Water & Garri, released in 2024.

The highlight of Tiwa Savage’s career will be her performance at the Coronation Concert of King Charles III. 

34.  Toke Makinwa

Flourishing entrepreneur, media personality, perfumer, author, actress, Toke Makinwa, has achieved excellence in entertainment for the past 15 years. From radio, to television and then her YouTube, Toke has brought aboard her authenticity and confidence. Her Toke Moments lifestyle YouTube channel, has morphed into a successful tell it all podcast, interviewing accomplished personalities and diving into very interesting topics. 

Toke Makinwa has before secured brand ambassador deals with the United Africa Company of Nigeria, Payporte, Oppo Mobile, Maggi, Mecran Cosmetics and Ciroc.

Toke Makinwa has acted in Sugar Rush, Love Is War, Therapy, Omo Ghetto The Saga, Blood Sisters, Glamour Girls to mention a few. 

She also owns a fashion and perfume line that have both done well on the market. 

35.  Tope Oshin 

Tope Oshin is an influential casting, television & film director and producer who has dedicated her art to Nollywood. She moved from acting to directing and producing and has since produced MTV Shuga, Tinsel, Hush, Hotel Majestic, New Money, Up North, Fifty, The Wedding Party 2, Dead Of Night among others.

With some of her creative works screening at Toronto & Cannes International Film Festivals and Sundance Film Festival, she has been acknowledged as part of OkayAfrica 100 Women, Pulse Magazine’s 9 Nigerian Female Movie Directors, won African Movie Academy Awards’ Best Film In An African Language and Best Film By An African Director Living In The Diaspora, Best Director at Nollywood Movie Awards and more.

Tope founded Sunbow Productions Limited, offering consulting, directing, television and film producing services and making noteworthy strides and inputs to Nollywood.

36.  Tyla

With bragging rights as the youngest African artiste in history to win a Grammy Award, the fastest rising artiste, Tyla, is quickly warming her way into peoples’ hearts with her music and personality. She was born Tyla Laura Seethal. 

The singer perfectly fuses Amapiano, R&B and Pop in creating her earworm songs. Tyla got onto the music scene in 2019 with her song, Getting Late.

In 2023, she gave the world Water, a song that will change her life and the trajectory of her career forever. The song was the first song by a South African to enter US Billboard Hot 100 in 55years.

Water entered and maintained different positions on top 10 charts in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Tyla won the first Best African Music Performance Award at the 2024 Grammys and few weeks after, released her self-titled album, Tyla. 

Tyla has won several awards - BET Best International Act, BET Best New Artiste, BET Viewer’s Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Award for Best Afrobeats, MTV Europe Music Awards Best Afrobeats, Best African Act and Best R&B awards, Top Afrobeats Song at Billboard Music Awards and more.

She featured Travis Scott on the Water Remix and also has music collaborations with Kooldrink, Gunna, Skilibeng, Ayra Starr, Tony Duardo, Optimist Music ZA, Ez Maestro, Spinall, Omah Lay and Sean Paul. 

37.  Uche Pedro

Uche Pedro is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, digital media pioneer and the founder and CEO of BellaNaija since 2006. 

BellaNaija is one of Nigeria’s largest and most influential platforms focused on entertainment, lifestyle, celebrity news and travel alongside its other branches - BellaNaija Beauty, BellaNaija.com, BellaNaija Style and BellaNaija Weddings.

Uche Pedro has transitioned BellaNaija to now include event management and digital marketing, breaking ground in storytelling and providing space for emerging creatives to thrive. 

Uche Pedro’s work has not only modified access to entertainment news but also helped elevate African narratives on a global stage, tirelessly celebrating African creativity and cultural heritage.

She has won African Blogger of the Year award at Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, the British Council International Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year award, named among 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa by Forbes Magazine and honoured as one of the Women of the Year at New African Woman Awards. 

38.  Whitney Boakye-Mensah

Whitney Boakye-Mensah is recognized as a dynamic media personality, entertainment pundit, event executive and entrepreneur with over two decades of outstanding service in industry.

She is Managing Partner and Creative Director of Innorvations/Events WBM and Co Executive Producer for 3Music Women’s Brunch. 

She is known for her expertise in events planning, management & coordination, brand strategy, public relations and marketing and has worked with Imajiin Advertising, CharterHouse, Empire Entertainment, MultiChoice Ghana, Kenpong Group of Companies to name a few.

Notable events in her events catalogue are Joe Thomas in Ghana, Chris Brown in Ghana, Bow Wow and Keri Hilson in Ghana, Ghana Stands in Worship, Legends and Legacy, Rapperholic, GH Meets Naija, Omanye Royal Event and more. 

She frequently sits in entertainment punditry on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review and UTV’s United Showbiz.

Whitney Boakye-Mensah has won the following awards: Female Personality of the Year by the Xedous Communications Group in partnership with British Council, Entrepreneur of the Year at Women’s Choice Awards, 10 Best Women in Creative Arts in Ghana, Women Unsung Heroes for her contributions to My Dear Sisters Keeper GH and more. 

39.  Wiyaala

Noella Wiyaala Nwadei is a global singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice, energetic performances, and unique blend of traditional African sounds with Pop. Also referred to as Lioness of Africa, she incorporates elements of her culture into her music, fashion and performances. Wiyaala developed an interest in music at a young age and was influenced by artistes like Angelique Kidjo and Miriam Makeba and is an Afro-rock artiste. 

Wiyaala released her self-titled debut album, Wiyaala, two years after her participation in Vodafone Icons in 2012. Wiyaala album housed songs like Rock My Body and Make Me Dance.

She also has Sissala Goddess and African Polyglot as quality bodies of work to her name. 

A touring artiste, her show performances will include headlining 15th London African Music Festival, WOMAD in the UK, Hague African Festival in the Netherlands, Afrikadey Festival in Calgary Canada, and tours in Thessaloniki, Greece, Bratislava in Slovakia. 

Awards Wiyaala has bagged are The Most Promising Artiste in Africa and The Revelation of the African Continent at All Africa Music Awards, Best Female Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year at Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

In association with UNICEF Ghana and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Wiyaala campaigns against child poverty, child marriage and advocates for health, women’s rights, cultural heritage preservation, child welfare and sanitation.

In 2024, released a new single every week for eleven weeks, from 31st May to 9th August.

40.  Zarinah Hassan

Zarinah Hassan, widely known as Zari Hassan or Zari the Boss Lady, is a prominent Ugandan socialite, entrepreneur, reality TV star and musician who has made giant strides in the entertainment and business sectors across Africa.

Zari’s music career took flight in 2007 with the song Oliwange which made waves in East Africa, a mix of Afrobeats and contemporary R&B.

She is a key cast member of the Netflix series Young, Famous and African.

Zari Hassan owns a chain of Brooklyn City College Schools in Johannesburg, Rustenburg, Pretoria, Vereeniging, Polokwane, Nelspruit and Durban.

She has been involved in various charitable activities, focusing on education and healthcare initiatives in Uganda and South Africa.