3MUSIC TV RECOGNIZES 40 AFRICAN WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS

In commemorating International Women’s Day 2026 and upholding our contribution to empowering women across industries, 3Media Networks and 3Music TV are always dedicated to supporting, uplifting and honouring women and we applaud the dedication, grit, tenacity and growth of these 40 women in their various fields. 

It is admirable how they have poured their heart into their passions, talents and people to attain the heights they have and proven that it is possible. 

Our 40 trailblazers for 2026 have truly risen by gracefully lifting others and reaching excellence over the years and we are dedicated to loudly celebrating their excellence, resilience, craftsmanship and leadership.

Dear trailblazers, your remarkable achievements and impact are truly inspiring.

Keep up the great work, 

We see you! We commend you!! We wish you the best!!!

Let’s continue to GIVE TO GAIN.

1.   Abena Amoah

She is the Managing Director/C.E.O of the Ghana Stock Exchange, holding the position as the first female ever. Abena Amoah is an accomplished banker with over twenty years of experience in capital markets, stockbrokerage, mergers & acquisitions and investment banking.

She is a board member of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and a member of the Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE).

2. Abena Osei-Poku

As Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana & Regional Executive for Anglophone West Africa, Abena Osei-Poku brings to her role 25 years wealth of experience in banking – corporate banking, business banking and risk management. She has previously worked at Barclays, Standard Chartered and Absa Banks.

Abena holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana and MBA from Manchester Business School and is Chairperson of University of Ghana’s College of Health Sciences Advisory Board.

3. Amma Twum-Amoah

A senior Ghanaian diplomat, Her Excellency Amma Twum-Amoah is known for her remarkable work in foreign relations. She is currently the Commissioner for the African Union Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission.

She was previously the Permanent Representative to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

H.E Amma Twum-Amoah has also served as an Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan.

4. Angela Mensah-Poku

Currently performing her duties as Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, Angela Mensah-Poku leads her team efficiently with focus on small and medium enterprises, corporate business growth, customer experience and digital solutions.

She has a heart for small businesses, hence the MTN SME Accelerate Program to improve digital innovation. She has over fifteen years of leadership experience in Africa and Europe as a commercial director and managing director. She has expertise in influencing large-scale internal transformations to capture revenue, profitability and customer experience improvements.

5. Anita Asmah

In the space of thirty-three years, Major General Anita Asmah has risen through the ranks from being the seventh female in Ghana to join the forces in a non-medical role to becoming the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), a role she assumed on 11^th December 2024.  

She has served in the following capacities:

·       A Military Observer in the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo

·       Staff Officer in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

·       Deputy Force Commander of UNDOF

·       Director of Education, Deputy Military Secretary and Course Director at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre

·       Director General in the Department of Defence Civilian Establishment of the Ghanaian Armed Forces

6. Anita Erskine

She is a global storyteller, media host, sustainability leader and a trusted moderator for Governments, UN, AU, EU, World Bank Group, multilaterals and multinationals. The executive director of Erskine Global Communications is also a cultural diplomat who is shaping policy & global narratives.

Anita Erskine’s work spans across Africa, North America, Europe and the Caribbean.

With twenty-nine years’ experience in Strategic Communications Management and Television Content Development, she has hosted over ten television programs, reaching millions across the globe and moderated over two hundred events worldwide.

Through philanthropy and mentorship, she co-founded the STEM Woman Project to empower woman in STEM.

7. Dentaa Amoateng

The cultural ambassador is the president at GUBA Enterprise, a strategist, philanthropist and a change leader across continents. Dentaa Amoateng has over two decades’ experience in leadership, media, events and diaspora engagements.

As president and C.E.O of GUBA Enterprise and Group C.E.O of GUBA Diaspora Network, she facilitates investments, trade, relocation, cultural exchange and community empowerment and leads powerful platforms connecting diasporans to opportunities in Ghana.

Dentaa holds a Nursing Degree from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College and serves as an Advisor to Concordia and Grammy Global Ventures where she leverages her expertise to navigate the dynamic landscapes of government, private sector and global markets, focusing on fostering economic growth, promoting diversity and amplifying Africa’s cultural and economic influence worldwide.

8. Edith Ameyo

She defines compassion meeting leadership in a way that gives hope to babies and their families. Her work experiences span thirty years and have seen her take up roles in public practice, consulting, finance, FMCG, manufacturing, media, investment, advisory and charity & NGO sectors in Ghana, Nigeria and UK.

Edith Ameyo is a dedicated and impact-driven professional who is passionate about creating positive changes. In her commitment to make a difference, she thrives on leveraging her skills and expertise to meaningfully contribute to projects.

In 2005, her heart for humanity led to founding Little Big Souls, an International Charitable not-for-profit organisation based in the UK and Africa. Little Big Souls commits to the health of babies and reducing death and disability in pre-term babies, by extension, giving them a chance to live.

She also owns Strands of Pearls International which is a women’s leadership organisation committed to the professional and personal development of women of all shades.

9. Efua Ghartey

Her focus being corporate law, with emphasis on joint ventures, corporate restructuring, labour & employment, company law, maritime law & litigation, Efua Ghartey has had an admirable career journey.

Called to the bar in 1991, she served as a Legal Aid Officer working for the under-privileged in society and later joined the Akuffo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. law firm as an associate. She proceeded to establish Ghartey & Ghartey with Joe Ghartey in 1994.

Holding her current position as the first female president of the Ghana Bar Association did not happen in a blink. She has served as a member and secretary of some Ghana Bar Association committees, member and executive of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and is a devoted member of the National Council of the Ghana Bar Association. She has held Chairperson roles at the Global Council of the United Bible Societies, Council of the Bible Society of Ghana and World Vision Ghana.

10. Elsie Effah Kaufmann

Brilliant Dr. Elsie Kaufmann worked her way into hearts as everyone’s favourite quiz mistress, holding the position as the National Science & Maths Quiz mistress for several years and counting.

She is a Biomedical Engineer, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana, the first female Dean at the School of Engineering Sciences and founder of the Elsie Effah Kaufmann Foundation, building the first Biomedical Engineering Programming in sub-Saharan Africa and inspiring Africans to explore STEM.

Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann graduated with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and is a truly experienced academic and engineer.

Adding up to her dedicated roles are patron of Edusports, Chairperson of Ghana Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for Health Promotion (ICC-HP) and Member of the Board of Trustees at Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA).

11. Emma Wenani 

She is a marketing and communications leader best introduced as the woman who helps brands reach their audience through purposeful communication with extensive experience across media, brand strategy, public relations, crisis communications, digital marketing and stakeholder engagement.

Being a marketing and communications professional, Emma is passionate about shaping stories, strategies and experiences that connect brands to people and inspire action, thoughtfully balancing creativity and strategy on projects.

At the core of what she does is believing in the power of connection and relationships while informing, influencing, empowering and creating meaningful change.

Emma is the Chief Director at Global Media Alliance and has been recognized among Top Women in PR Ghana & Top 10 Women in PR Africa, is an executive committee member of the Executive Women Network and serves as the Chairperson of the Kenyans in Ghana association.

12. Fatma Samoura

Full name, Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, she is a Senegalese diplomat who was appointed as the first female Secretary General of FIFA, a role that was previously occupied by white men for hundred years. Before assuming her role at FIFA, she worked in different high ranking positions at the United Nations; Senior Logistics Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome, Country Director for the World Food Programme in Djibouti and Cameroon, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Madagascar, United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Nigeria. She was also appointed Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for eastern Chad.

As FIFA Secretary General, she was responsible for overseeing the commercial and operational side of the organisation.

13. Fatoumata Bâ

When you think women leading in technology globally, Fatoumata Bâ is definitely one of the women you think about. She is the founder and executive chair of Janngo Capital, a tech entrepreneur, venture capital investor, and chairwoman of the Board of Auchan in Africa.

Janngo Capital is backed by financial investors like African HNWI, European Investment Bank, Mulliez Family and Clipperton Finance with the focus of building, growing and investing in tech champions with proven business models and inclusive social impact.

Fatoumata Bâ is passionate about Africa’s development through technology especially in relation to women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment, growth of SMEs and solving health and education issues.

She has been named Young Global Leader at The World Economic Forum, Economic Leaders of Tomorrow by Choiseul 100 Africa, 30 under 30 by Forbes Africa among others. She has dedicated herself to serving on the Board and Investment Committee of Creadev Africa, Council of Women in Africa, Global Future Council on the New Economic Agenda of the World Economic Forum and currently serves on the Board of SouthBridge Investment Bank.

14. Fatuma Ahmed

The Commander of the Kenya Air Force is female!

Her name is Fatuma Ahmed, Major General Fatuma Ahmed!

Spanning more than forty years in service, she has admirably dedicated her time, energy, intelligence and heart to the Forces. She was enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces in 1983, commissioned in 1985 after completing her foundational Military Officers Training at the

Kenya Military Academy and has since assumed the following roles:

·       Staff Officer

·       Colonel

·       Training Officer with the Integrated Training Service, United Nations Secretariat

·       Military Observer, United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo

·       Brigadier, Managing Director of the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Team

·       Major General, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces Personnel and Logistics

·       Commandant of the Kenya Military Army

Among some of her recognitions are Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) and Operation Linda Nchi Campaign Medal.

15. Folorunso Alakija

She is a well-known Nigerian businesswoman, apostle, philanthropist, real estate developer, fashion designer, speaker and author with roots in banking and business administration. She is the vice chairman at Famfa Oil Limited and managing director at the Rose of Sharon Group.

With her husband, she co-founded a Christian ministry called Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International and is dedicated to empowering widows, their children and orphans.

Folorunso Alakija is the first female Chancellor of a public university in Africa, a fellow of Yaba College of Technology and a two-time national president and lifelong trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria.

With her six honorary doctorate degrees, she is the vice chairperson of the National Heritage Council and Endowment for Arts, chief executive matron of the African Young Entrepreneurs and ambassador of Junior Chambers International.

16. Funke Opeke

She is a distinguished telecommunications engineer and technology entrepreneur who founded MainOne Cable System, West Africa’s first private submarine cable system that has transformed Africa’s digital infrastructure by connecting Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Portugal. The establishment of MainOne Cable System skyrocketed internet accessibility and connectivity across West Africa and by extension supports innovation, technology and digital growth.

In addition to the submarine cables, Funke Opeke played a crucial role in developing broadband infrastructure in Nigeria by building terrestrial fiber optic networks and data centers in Lagos, Accra and Abidjan.

17. Hamamat Montia

The seventh-generation shea butter heiress is passionate about empowering women, children and youth across Africa. Hamamat owns Hamamat Africa, a Tamale-based social enterprise company that empowers village women through authentic shea butter production and by that has created over thousand jobs. Hamamat Africa houses Hamamat African Beauty, Shea Butter Museum, Hamamat African Village and the Shea Butter Spa Institute.

Hamamat Montia is an industrialist, author and philanthropist who is consciously changing the perception of shea butter globally through shea butter education, awareness and tourism. Hamamat has dedicated herself to promoting traditional wellness and recently has started the world’s first shea butter ice-cream in collaboration with Geppetto Gelato.

Her vision for Africa is to develop a sustainability framework for village communities through global partnerships.

In February 2026, she was appointed Ghana’s Cultural Ambassador for Shea Butter by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, acknowledging her shea butter advocacy.

18. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and the first woman in Ghana’s history to assume the role. She is a pioneer by all standards, being the first female vice chancellor of University of Cape Coast. Until 2024, she was the chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, a position she maintained since 2018. Her Excellency is the immediate past president of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Chairperson of the Africa Board.

Her political roles include Ghana’s Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017.

The plethora of her achievements in the education sector includes the following positions at the University of Cape Coast:

·       Head of the Department of English

·       Dean of the Faculty of Arts

·       Dean of the Board of Graduate Studies

·       Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research

·       Vice Chancellor

Her awards received include Officer of the Order of the Volta (for academic distinction), Ghana Women of Excellence Awards (education category), Doctor of Letters, University of Cape Coast (Honoris Causa), two Doctor of Humane Letters from Grand Valley State University and Winston Salem State University respectively, Global Leadership Awards from the University of South Florida and more

19. Joyce Bawah Mogtari

Skilled in operations management, recruiting, writing and commerce, Joyce Bawah Mogtari is an experienced international maritime lawyer and politician. Currently, Joyce Mogtari is a presidential adviser and special aide to H.E John Dramani Mahama, the president of the Republic of Ghana. She has also served as Deputy Minister of Transport under the National Democratic Congress.

She is a member of the bar in Ghana, England and Wales, with a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B) from Holborn College, University of London.

Joyce Mogtari also holds a master’s degree (L.L.M) in Maritime Law from the International Maritime Organization and International Maritime Law Institute and another master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre.

Her recognitions include IMO Legal Committee Chairman’s Award for Best Overall Performance in International Transport Law, Northern Excellence Awards’ Most Outstanding Northern Woman of the Year, Trailblazer for Young Women in politics among others

20. Kate Quartey-Papafio

She is a resourceful Ghanaian industrialist, spearheading electrical cabling in Ghana.

The group chairperson of Reroy Group Limited started the company in 1992 and has spent three decades building a brand of integrity and excellence with a client-focused approach and attention to detail as the hallmark.

Through her visionary leadership, Reroy Group Limited delivers the highest standards of products and services, using quality raw materials and high standard best industry processes, making it a one-stop shop for electrical and power solutions. Reroy Group has successfully expanded operations across Africa, producing and supplying power cables, providing electrical power distribution systems and dynamically catering to the power sector.

Within the communities that Reroy Group Limited operates, Kate has ensured the youth realise their full potential by developing educational infrastructure and providing talent development programmes.

21. Kirsty Coventry

Fondly referred to as Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Kirsty Leigh Coventry Seward is a Zimbabwean competitive swimmer, sports administrator, politician and president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a position she has held since 2025, making her the first woman, first Zimbabwean and first African to occupy the seat. She has also served Zimbabwe as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and later as the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

Young Kirsty Coventry became the first Zimbabwean swimmer to reach the semifinals at the 2000 Olympics and was named Zimbabwe’s Sports Woman of the Year. “Our national treasure” as described by head of Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Paul Chingoka, Kirsty Coventry has won gold, silver and bronze medals at 2004 Summer Olympics and one gold and three silver medals at 2008 Summer Olympics, a performance for which she was awarded $100,000 by president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe but given to charity.

In 2005, she won gold in both 100m and 200m backstroke at the World Championships in Canada and in 2007 won four gold medals at the International Swim Meet in Japan, the same year she won seven gold and three silver medals at the All-Africa Games in Algeria.

She owns the Kirsty Coventry Academy where she teaches children how to swim. She became a chairperson of the International Olympic Athletes’ Commission in 2018 and in 2025, president of IOC.

22. Leila Fourie

Retail and investment banking, finance, capital markets, stock exchange, consulting and economics define Leila Fourie’s career that has lasted over thirty years.

The C.E.O of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange has served and held several positions in the financial sector, these include:

·       Executive responsible for Consumer Finance at The Commonwealth Bank of Australia

·       NSW vice president of the Economic Society of Australia

·       Board Audit Committee of Lifeline Australia

·       C.E.O of the Australia Payments Network

·       Executive Director of Johannesburg Stock Exchange

·       Managing Director, Card Division of Standard Bank

·       Global Director, Credit Analytics of Standard Bank

·       Co-chair, United Nations Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD)

·       Advisor, Henley Business School

·       Advisor, United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges

·       Board member of JSE Investor Services, JSE Private Placements, Business Leadership South Africa, African Securities Exchanges Society, Strate and more.

Leila Fourie has previously won an award for best Masters Economics thesis and has a PhD in Economic and Financial Sciences.

Some more awards to her name are: Alumni Dignitas Award by University of Johannesburg, Women Leaders for Outstanding Leadership by World Federation of Exchanges, Top 100 Women C.E.Os in Africa by Reset Global People and Advance Media, Business Woman of the Year by Standard Bank Top Women Awards.

23. Malak Boukthir

With her background in industrial processes and sustainable innovation, Malak Boukthir is a Tunisian doctoral researcher, educator, entrepreneur, international speaker and chemical & process engineer who has dedicated herself to create value from the by-products of agriculture and food.

The C.E.O of Ecofeed has led the specialization of turning waste into alternate animal feed, building a sustainable and innovative supply chain that sources local ingredients for animal feed production by establishing partnerships with farmers and suppliers and ensuring quality of raw materials. In leading Ecofeed, Malak has developed an eco-process that allows for efficient conversion of local agricultural by-products and waste in valuable animal feed, by extension, reducing waste.

Malak Boukthir also spends her time teaching Entrepreneurship and Business Creation at IMSET.

She has been named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Managers 2025 and awarded the Greentic Award by FAO.

24. Mariam Kaleem Agyeman-Buahin 

An epitome of strength, drive, intelligence and passion who started her career in design, experiential and trade marketing, Mariam Kaleem has honourably climbed up the marketing and consulting ladder. She is a seasoned fireball marketer, fin-tech professional and brand consultant with two decades’ experience developing and implementing marketing concepts through traditional, digital and experiential channels, thereby driving awareness, sales, loyalty and conversion for brands. With some core strengths being concept development, project, sponsorship, event & brand management, marketing communications and experiential marketing, Mariam is a repository of ideas.

She has played key roles in various multinational companies – head of Brand Engagement and Sponsorship at Vodafone Ghana, country head for Brand Marketing and Sponsorship at Standard Chartered Bank, overseeing projects like the Standard Chartered Credit Card, Mobile Banking app and the New Head Office launch. She also became the head of Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion and Corporate Partnerships at Standard Chartered, group head of Brand & Marketing at Letshego Africa Holdings Limited where she translated group marketing strategies into insight-led, customer-focused campaigns that grew engagement, conversion and customer loyalty.

Presently, Mariam Kaleem Agyeman-Buahin  is the C.O.O of Akuna Group, pushing Africa’s Creative Economy and its potential to elevate the continent through job creation, innovation and cultural diversity promotion.

25. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee

In dedicating herself to diplomacy, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee is the assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Africa at the United Nations Secretariat, serving in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs since 2021.

She has a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Ghana, master’s degree in development studies from the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, further studying Multilateral Diplomacy at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Public Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

Other roles she has assumed are career diplomat at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, head of Chancery at the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington D.C, director of the Information and Public Affairs Bureau at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, deputy head of mission at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria and Ghana’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

26. Matilda Asante-Asiedu

She is a chartered banker and multi-skilled corporate and social impact leader with an outstanding thirty-year career in banking, marketing communications and media, presently holding the position of Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. She wholeheartedly advocates women’s empowerment, inclusive finance and digital transformation.

Prior to her appointment as Second Deputy Governor, she worked in the commercial banking sector, holding key managerial positions and leading strategic initiatives in SMEs finance, branch distribution, consumer banking, high net-worth segments and Bancassurance.

As Second Deputy Governor, she serves on the Monetary Policy Committee and contributes to formulating and implementing policies that promote financial stability. She is the supervising Governor for the Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervisions, Financial Stability, Finance, Banking, Medical, Collateral Registry, Resolution and Restructuring Departments as well as the Branch Coordination Office.

She is a pioneer of women banking in Ghana, leading Access Bank’s W Initiative – a flagship women’s empowerment and financial inclusion programme.

A member of the Financial Stability Council, she is also a non-executive director at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ghana Exim Bank, Data Protection Agency and Cocoa Marketing Company

27. Mo Abudu

Mo, a truncated version of Mosunmola, is a passionately dedicated television host, filmmaker, media entrepreneur and producer. She is a blueprint of successful career and industry pivots, having transitioned from human resources to media.

She started her HR career at the Atlas Recruitment Consultancy Firm in the UK and on returning to Nigeria, managed the HR and Administration Department at ExxonMobil. She later founded Vic Lawrence & Associates, a human resources firm named after her parents.

Mo Abudu oversaw the establishment of Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park, from conceptualization to development stages. She then got into media, creating Inspire Media which was an edutainment company and home to Africa’s first syndicated talk show, Moments with Mo, hosted by Mo Abudu. The show evolved into Moments Z and Moments in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

In July 2013, she created EbonyLife TV, a Pan African network with an aim to connect Africa through shared identity, by extension creating a positive African narrative. In pushing the African narrative positively, she created visual representations through series like FIFTY, CASTLE & CASTLE, SONS OF CALIPHATE, THE GOVERNOR and more.

Progressing in media and entertainment, she created EbonyLife Films in 2014, producing THE WEDDING PARTY 1&2, CHIEF DADDY, THE ROYAL HIBISCUS HOTEL, YOUR EXCELLENCY, OLOTURE – a Netflix Original.

Mo Abudu has successfully signed deals with Sony Pictures Television, Netflix, BBC Studios, Will & Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Lionsgate TV.

She owns EbonyLife Place - Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort which houses restaurants, event halls, a boutique hotel and luxury cinemas and EbonyLife Creative Academy in partnership with Lagos State Government, an academy that offers free practical short courses in filmmaking and media content production.

28. Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah

Excellence in agrifood business brings Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah to mind, a sector through which she connects women founders, leaders and platforms to capital markets and resources needed to scale and create impact in Africa and UK. She is a coach and UK-Africa ecosystem builder, featured in the Guardian, Spores Magazine, DWTV and NY Times.

Nana Adjoa founded Guzakuza and Women in Food & Agribusiness Investment (WiFAI), helping over eleven thousand women in thirty-six countries launch and scale transformative agrifood ventures. She is passionate about creating spaces for the collaboration of women-led businesses to yield tangible results.

She has been a jury member on GAME CHANGERS – WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE and served on the committee of Economic Empowerment Reference Group for East and Southern Africa. Her sector-focused initiatives include Ignite-African Women in Agribusiness Fellowship, HerFood Map, SheFarms, WiFAI magazine and the UK-Africa WiFAI Investment Summit which gathers policymakers, corporates, founders, investors, facilitating partnerships that morph into income.

29. Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong

She is a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate and an award-winning Media Practitioner with over twenty-six years of experience in the field. In embodying a multifaceted woman, Nana Yaa Serwaa is the General Manager of EIB Network, founder of Women in Sustainability Africa (WISA) in partnership with the UN Global Compact and the Government of Ghana, C.E.O of Elohay Group, an International Trade, Management & Marketing practitioner, a lecturer in International Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Leadership, a writer, a coach and the founder of the League of Extraordinary Women Network.

As a sought-after speaker, Nana Yaa Serwaa has graced stages of prominent events in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, UK, Germany, Turkey and most recently, moderated two high-level panel discussions during the 80^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. In the UK, she has also addressed the House of Lords on Educational Reforms for Out of school children.

30. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah 

Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is Namibia’s first president who served as third vice president under President Nangolo Mbumba and has dedicated herself to the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), serving for fifty-seven years.

The seventy-three-year-old, before rising to presidency, was deputy prime minister of Namibia, minister of International Relations and Cooperation, minister of Environment and Tourism, minister of Information and Broadcasting and minister of Women Affairs and Child Welfare.

She was elected vice president of SWAPO in 2017, making her the first woman to occupy the seat. She is also a long-time member of the National Assembly.

Her birthplace being South West Africa, her loyalty to the party is almost imbibed in her, having started out in politics at fourteen years and soon becoming the party’s Youth Movement Organisation. 

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah worked at the SWAPO headquarters in Lusaka from 1973 to 1975 and attended a course at the Lenin Higher Komsomol School in the Soviet Union from 1975 until 1976 and graduated with a diploma in the work and practice of the communist youth movement. In 1987, she obtained a post-graduate diploma in public administration and management from the Glasgow College of Technology in the United Kingdom, furthering her education in 1988 and earning a post-graduate diploma in international relations from Keele University. In 1989, Nandi-Ndaitwah obtained a master's degree in diplomatic studies, also from Keele University. She has honorary doctorate in diplomatic and public work from the University of Dar es Salaam.

In March 2023, President Geingob named Nandi-Ndaitwah as SWAPO's presidential candidate for the 2024 Namibian general election and following Geingob's death in February 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah was appointed as vice president, succeeding Nangolo Mbumba, who became president.

She became president-elect of the Republic of Namibia in December 2024, winning with 683,560 (58.7%) of the votes. 

31. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

She is a global finance expert, international development professional and economist with over forty years’ experience working across countries and continents - Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. 

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is seventh director-general of the World Trade Organization, the first woman and first African to honourably hold the office. She was first appointed on 1st March 2021, completing her four-year term on 31st August 2025 and reappointed for second term on 1st September 2025. 

Before her position at the World Trade Organization, she was chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and served on the Boards of Standard Chartered PLC and Twitter Inc.

She was appointed as African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international financial support for the fight against COVID-19 and WHO Special Envoy for Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. 

From 2003-2006 and 2011-2015, she was the finance minister of Nigeria and briefly a foreign minister. As finance minister, she implemented reforms in trade, macroeconomy and finance, contributing to the overhaul of Nigeria’s trade policy. She had a twenty-five-year career at the World Bank as a development economist and rose to managing director of operations. 

As managing director of the World Bank, she oversaw the institution’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia. 

Her plethora of recognitions include Forbes’ Top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in from 2011-2015 and in 2022 & 2023, Times’ Top 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014 & 2021, Financial Times’ 25 Most Influential Women, Transparency International’s 8 Female Anti-Corruption Fighters Who Inspire, Fortune’s 50 Greatest World Leaders, Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers in 2011 & 2012, Forbes’ Top Three Most Powerful Women in Africa, Forbes’ Top 10 Most Influential Women in Africa, the UK Guardian’s Top 100 Women in the World, Newsweek’s Top 150 Women in the World. 

Awards to her name are the Global Economy Prize from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Laureate Prize of Ambassadors from the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the Lord Byron International Prize from the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, Global Leadership Award by the American Academy of Achievement, Global Leadership Award from the United Nations Foundation as a Champion for Global Change and many more. 

32. Nkem Onwudiwe

She is the founder and chief executive of Her Network, a platform focused on creating safe spaces where women find their voices, bask in their authenticity and tell their stories and by so doing, she has grown a global community that celebrates women through and through, bound by inspiration, purpose and growth. Her Network started as a women’s networking event and quickly evolved in a major support platform. Nkem’s annual Her Summit applauds and shines light on heroines through the Women of the Year initiative. She has focused on impact over impressions, helping women navigate complex professional and personal landscapes.

She has sat in rooms as head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Heirs Holdings, head of PR & Digital Communications at Ledrop Nigeria Ltd and played key roles at Soul Muzik, Inspire Africa Limited and Rocket Internet.

Under the supervision of female bosses throughout her career, she learned valuable lessons that will guide her purpose. The core mission for Her Network is to make impact by inspiring women to live their truth and stand gallant in greatness.

In Nkem Onwudiwe’s words to Conglomerate Magazine, “There’s immense power in spaces where you don’t have to fragment your identity. Where your faith, ambitions, vulnerabilities and strengths are all welcomed and affirmed.

33. Omoni Oboli

She is a Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker, actor, scriptwriter, producer, author, health and wealth coach. As a health and wealth coach, she has worked with thousands of people to live healthier and wealthier lives.

She began her career in 1996 in the movie BITTER ENCOUNTER after which she starred in SHAME, NOT MY WILL, ANOTHER CAMPUS TALE, THE FIGURINE, ANCHOR BABY, BEING MRS ELLIOT, FIFTY, THE RIVALS, OLOTURE and more. 

Omoni Oboli won Best International Drama at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for THE RIVALS which was the first Nigerian film to premiere at the festival since its creation in 2003.

Her movie ANCHOR BABY got her accolades at Harlem International Film Festival and Los Angeles Movie Awards. 

Some movies she produced and directed are LOVE IN EVERY WORD 1&2, MOMS AT WAR, LOVE IS WAR, OKAFOR'S LAW, which was part of the official selection for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Stockholm International Film Festival in 2016. In 2015, her movie THE FIRST LADY won audience choice awards at the Nollywood Week Film Festival Paris.

Other awards won include Best Actress Narrative Feature at the Los Angeles Movie Awards, Best Actress at the Harlem International Film Festival, ELOY Awards’ Big Screen Actress of the Year, The Sun’s Nollywood Personality of the Year. 

She is also the founder of Omoni Oboli Foundation which is an NGO for the less privileged women and children in the society.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in French from University of Benin and is a 2018 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow

34. Patricia Obo-Nai

She is a self-driven professional engineer and passionate leader with over 25 years working experience in the telecommunication industry. As a leading figure in Africa’s telecommunications and technology sector and a commercial business leader committed to returning value to shareholders through an engaged and motivated team, she is the CEO at Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana). 

She is the first Ghanaian woman to lead Telecel Ghana and has driven digital inclusion, business transformation and innovation while transforming Telecel Ghana to a top tier telecom operator. 

In 2023, she played a pivotal role in Vodafone transitioning to Telecel Ghana by managing operations, systems integration and staff alignment to maintain stability and continuity. 

Telecel Ghana topped the 2024 National Customer Service Index with a 75% approval rating under her leadership. She also expanded physical presence from 104 to over 420 retail and community shops and launched TeRi, A.I-driven virtual assistant with 80% first-contact issue resolution. Innovations under her leadership also include the improvement of the Telecel Play app to provide easier access to content and self-service. 

Adding up to her achievements, she oversaw the nationwide rollout of 4G+ technology and introduced eSIM services to ease connectivity. 

Patricia Obo-Nai also launched V-Tracker Road Safety Project to equip intercity buses with IoT-enabled monitoring systems to strengthen passenger safety and collaborated with Electricity Company of Ghana to pilot smart metering solutions which enable remote energy monitoring and digital billing. 

She is very passionate about promoting girls in STEM and works with various institutions and social bodies to that effect. In supporting women, she has expanded the Telecel Female Engineering Student Sponsorship Programme (FESSP), helping more than ninety female students by providing financial aid, mentorship and internship opportunities and help them build successful careers in engineering and technology. 

35. Rachel Ankomah

She is a passionate sports leader, communicator and entrepreneur dedicated to using sports and media as tools for empowerment and growth. 

She is the Founder & Coach of Accra Majestics Sports Academy, a Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Authority, Director of Corporate Communications at Ghana Rugby Football Union, Founder & Digital Creator at RA Media Gh and a ForbesBlk Member. 

Rachel Ankomah has been a sports woman all her life, partaking in her first competitive sport, triple jump, in junior high school. 

Moving on to senior high school, she played hockey, handball, soccer, basketball, javelin and cricket. In Achimota Senior High School, she was among the team that represented the school in Nigeria in 2011 and 2013, becoming the captain of the Achimota Hockey School Team in 2012. While in the university, she represented University of Ghana at the GUSA games in 2014 and 2016, placing first and second respectively in the hockey competitions. She was team manager for Warriors Volleyball Club and Titans Sporting Club in 2016 and 2017.

Rachel was the first Women’s Rugby League Coordinator in Ghana. Her Accra Majestics Sports Academy focuses on nurturing talent, building discipline and creating pathways for the next generation of athletes. Named after herself, her RA Media GH drives digital storytelling and content creation that amplify voices, brands and movements across Africa. As Director of Corporate Communications for the Ghana Rugby Football Union, she leads strategic communications, brand positioning and stakeholder engagement.

Beyond her professional roles, she is an advocate for women in sports, championing inclusion, representation and equal opportunities for female athletes and leaders.

Rachel Ankomah’s work merges sports, media and community development to build platforms, tell stories and create opportunities that inspire growth and legacy.

In 2020 she was honoured as a Rugby League Hero by the International Rugby League, the same year she became the women’s coordinator for Rugby League Federation Ghana where she run the Pretty Girls Play Rugby League campaign to dismantle stereotypes and promote sports inclusivity. 

36. Rasha Kelej

She is a woman who wears many hats and balances it all so beautifully. She’s is a global thought leader in healthcare and social development, C.E.O of Merck Foundation, president of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI), retired member of Egyptian Senate, creator & president of More Than a Mother Campaign, Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) and Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS). 

As CEO of Merck Foundation, she has led transformative initiatives to empower women, support girl education, and improve healthcare with her focus on tackling infertility stigma, providing scholarships to young doctors. Her More Than a Mother Campaign empowers infertile women through access to healthcare and economic support, while also addressing societal perceptions surrounding infertility. With over 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, she has contributed to healthcare capacity-building initiatives across Africa and developing countries.

Since 2012, her work has been instrumental in shaping programs such as the Capacity Advancement Program, the Cancer Access Program and Diabetes Blue Points, all designed to improve healthcare infrastructure and patient care.

Dr. Rasha Kelej holds a degree in Pharmacy from Alexandria University and an MBA from Robert Gordon University, Scotland and was awarded a Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt) Honoris Causa by the Krishna World University. 

Dr. Kelej's innovative approach extends to media, art, and culture, where she uses the Fashion and Art with Purpose platform and the Our Africa by Merck Foundation TV program to engage communities in conversations about health and social challenges.

She has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women from 2019-2025 and under her leadership, Merck Foundation was voted NGO of the Year 2024 and she was recently named One of 100 Most Influential Africans. 

37. Samia Suluhu Hassan 

She is an accomplished Tanzanian politician, currently serving as Tanzania’s president since 2021, the first woman to hold the position.

Before becoming president, she was the tenth vice president of Tanzania from 2015 to 2021, the first woman in that role. 

She’s worked with World Food Programme, the Zanzibar government. As a long time member of Tanzania's ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), made her political debut when she was elected as a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives and was appointed a minister.

In 2010 she was elected to Tanzania's National Assembly, representing the Makunduchi constituency. While serving in the National Assembly, she was appointed minister of state for Union Affairs by then Pres. Jakaya Kikwete and in 2014 was named vice chair of the Constitutional Assembly. 

She also served as third Vice Chairperson of the African Union and minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment of Zanzibar. 

Her political profile further elevated when she was selected as running mate of CCM presidential candidate John Magufuli in the October 2015 election.

Her academic achievements include a postgraduate diploma in Economics from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, a master's degree in Community Economic Development via a joint program between the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University in the United States.

Samia Suluhu Hassan improved the political climate in the country by forming a task force on political reform and democracy that compiled comments and suggestions from members of civil society, the media, and other leaders; the task force then presented recommendations to her. Her task force and some of her other actions exemplified her focus on what she called the 4Rs - reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding. In line with that strategy, in early 2023 she loosened the restrictions on opposition parties by lifting a ban on political rallies that her predecessor had enacted six years prior.

Some of her honours include Order of South Africa in South Africa, Order of the Revolution for Leaders with Unique Characteristics, Order of the Mother of the Nation. 

38. Selina Beb 

The globally-known, Ghana-based fashion brand blends craftsmanship with modern style.

Owned by Selina Bebaako-Mensah, the brand celebrates women by creating wardrobe worthy fashion pieces from clothes, footwear, bags, clutches to jewellery with each piece carefully crafted with passion and love and telling an African-inspired heritage story. 

In practising ethical and sustainable fashion, Selina Beb has taken her self-named multiple award winning brand global through hard work and consistency, featuring on CNN, Vogue, BBC, VoA, beyonce.com and Meta. Selina Beb is redefining African luxury on the global stage.

Beyond fashion, Selina Beb is a broadcast journalist, event host & speaker with an interesting transition from law to media and fashion.

She studied law and worked in the UK for eleven years until her relocation to Ghana in 2008 where she pursued her media career after losing interest in becoming a lawyer. Before her return to Ghana, she worked with retail brands like Habitat, Boots, Marks and Spencer, The Perfume Shop and Argos. 

Wanting to become a broadcast journalist, she received training in Broadcasting Techniques from the Ghana Boroadcasting Corporation Training School and was employed by the corporation as a radio presenter, hosting Highlife Is Alive and From Me To You. She also took a course on Radio Broadcasting Techniques China Radio and TV Company in Beijing. 

Her transition into fashion happened in 2014, first starting as an accessories brand and 12 years down the line, the Selina Beb fashion brand is a big deal in Ghana and around the world. A few notable countries Selina Beb sells in are Nigeria, South Africa, Italy, Kenya, U.S.A and Australia.

39. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway 

She is a lawyer and politician, presently serving as the seventh Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, having previously served as Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

She has been on her journey in diplomacy and public service since 2005. She has occupied the following positions: Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister for Information and Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.

During her tenure as Foreign Minister, she chalked numerous successes - the establishment of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to enhance the training, human resource capacity and service conditions of Ghanaian diplomats, introduction of extensive digitalization efforts to streamline and improve consular and passport services, both domestically and in overseas missions.

She also played a key role in introducing the Year of Return and Beyond the Return policies in 2019. 

From 2020 to 2022, she was the chair of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for two consecutive terms, playing a crucial role in negotiating the transition towards democracy in the region. 

From 2005 to 2021, she was a Member of Parliament for the Weija and later Anyaa-Sowutuom constituencies, representing the largest population base in Ghana's legislature across four consecutive terms.

Prior to entering politics, she led a successful marketing and communications firm and served as a consultant in the tourism sector.

40. Wendy Shay 

She is a talented, passion-driven, outspoken and assertive artiste who with the help of her team, has cemented her name in the Ghanaian music industry and beyond. Born in Ghana as Wendy Asiamah Addo, she joined her mother in Stuttgart, Germany, a few years after the passing of her father.

As a child in Germany, she worked to find herself, identity and voice due to racism. She also found her talent, the gift of music that she has carried into adulthood and becoming her joy, fame and moneymaker. 

Prior to her introduction to the Ghana music ecosystem, she attended several music competitions in Germany and kept honing her craft. She also attended music school in Germany and is a certified healthcare professional in Germany. Since her introduction to Ghana’s music industry, she has stood out with her music - releasing back-to-back hit songs. 

Her discography is heavily packed with good music, including UBER DRIVER, BEDROOM COMMANDO, ASTALAVISTA, PSALM 35 ft Kuami Eugene & Sarkodie, THE BOY IS MINE ft Eno Barony, ALL FOR YOU, KUT IT, TUFF SKIN GIRL, SURVIVOR, HEAVEN, HABIBI, AFRICAN MONEY, HOLY FATHER ft Ras Kuuku, VIVIAN, TOO LATE, CRAZY LOVE and AFRICAN KING 

Her albums released are:

1. Shay on You in 2019
2. Shaying Stay in 2021
3. Enigma in 2022
4. Ready in 2025 

Awards to Wendy Shay’s name are Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA, now TGMA) Discovery of the Year, 3Music Awards Breakthrough of the Year, Ghana Music Awards SA New Artiste of the Year, Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards Best New
Artiste of the Year and most recently, AFRIMA Awards Best Female Artiste in West Africa.

Her successful annual Shay Concert at West Hills Mall attracts several thousands of fans year after year with enviable support from fellow artistes and the entertainment industry at large. 

Wendy Shay was enstooled as the Ahenemba Hemaa (Queen of the Youth/Children) of Gomoa Afransi in Ghana’s Central Region with the stool name Queen Ewurabena Ofosuhemaa Shay 1.