Six African women have been listed among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025.
The list, published on the magazine’s website, recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.
They appear alongside world figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (No. 1), European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5)
According to Forbes, the six women moving the needle on the continent the most are: areand below are 6 of the most powerful
Mary Vilakazi – South Africa
Mary Vilakazi is a chartered accountant and one of South Africa’s leading financial executives. She began her career at PwC, becoming one of the youngest partners at 27, and later served as CFO of the Mineral Services Group. She joined FirstRand in 2018 as Group COO and, on 1 April 2024, became the first woman and first Black woman to lead FirstRand Group, South Africa’s largest financial-services firm by market value.
Judith Suminwa Tuluka – Democratic Republic of Congo
Judith Suminwa Tuluka became the DRC’s first female Prime Minister in June 2024. A former UNDP official and economist, she previously served as Minister of State and Planning. Her expertise spans public finance, budgeting, programme evaluation, and national coordination.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Namibia
On 21 March 2025, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president. A veteran politician and former Vice President, she has held key government roles including minister of foreign affairs and environment. Since taking office, she has moved to reduce the country’s debt and strengthen national policies.
Mpumi Madisa – South Africa
Mpumi Madisa is the first Black woman to lead a top-40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company. She became CEO of Bidvest in October 2020 after rising through multiple roles in sales, marketing, and corporate affairs. Under her leadership, Bidvest has expanded globally, restored profitability, and manages around 130,000 employees.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Nigeria
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, one of the world’s top economists, has served as World Bank fundraiser, Gavi chair, and co-chair of the Global Commission on Economy and Climate. On 1 March 2021, she became the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization and was reappointed for a second term in 2024.
Mo Abudu – Nigeria
Mo Abudu is a Nigerian media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, shaping African storytelling globally. In 2025, TIME Magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” She recently launched the Afro Film Fund, a US$50 million initiative to produce African-origin films and series, and expanded her brand to the UK with EbonyLife Place London.
Back in 2017, the only African listed was Africa’s richest woman and daughter of former Angolan president Isabel dos Santos.
In 2016. Africa had three slots, two presidential and one in commerce. Then Liberia president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Mauritius president at the time, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim were listed. Nigeria’s business mogul Folorunsho Alakija was the third African.
