In the 2025 edition of Forbes magazine’s annual ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, six African women stood out for their groundbreaking achievements spanning politics, global governance, business, finance, and media.
Their inclusion reflects a deepening shift in global leadership and underscores the rising influence of African women on the world stage.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria)
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), continues to break barriers as a global economic stateswoman. She was reappointed to a second term late in 2024 and has used 2025 to champion an equitable global trading system that protects developing economies from structural disadvantage. As the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, her leadership spans trade reform, vaccine equity initiatives, and sustainable economic policy dialogues.
Mo Abudu (Nigeria)
Media mogul and cultural entrepreneur Mo Abudu has played a pivotal role in repositioning African storytelling on the global media landscape. As founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media, she has built an empire that encompasses television production, film development, and digital platforms. In 2025, she launched the Afro Film Fund, a US$50 million initiative to support African filmmakers, and expanded her presence internationally with projects such as EbonyLife Place London.
Mpumi Madisa (South Africa)
Mpumi Madisa made history as the first Black woman to lead a top-40 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) company when she became CEO of Bidvest Group. Under her leadership, the conglomerate has expanded its global operations, restored profitability, and strengthened its commitment to sustainable business practices. Madisa’s rise from managerial roles to the helm of one of Africa’s largest firms is a model of inclusive corporate leadership.
Mary Vilakazi (South Africa)
As CEO of FirstRand Group, South Africa’s largest financial-services firm by market value, Mary Vilakazi has solidified her position as one of Africa’s foremost financial executives. She became the first woman and first Black woman to lead the 185-year-old institution in 2024, and by 2025 she has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and promoting financial inclusion across the continent.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia)
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history in March 2025 as Namibia’s first female president, bringing decades of diplomatic and political experience to the role. Her early presidency has emphasized fiscal discipline, efficient governance, and strategic national development. Her inclusion on Forbes’ list highlights both her personal achievements and the broader progress of women’s leadership in Southern Africa.
Judith Suminwa Tuluka (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Judith Suminwa Tuluka, appointed in June 2024 as the first female Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, represents a historic shift in one of Africa’s most complex political environments. With a background in economics and public finance, she has prioritized budget transparency, reform, and institutional accountability—critical for strengthening governance in a resource-rich but administratively challenged nation.
Together, these six women exemplify Africa’s expanding role in shaping global policy, economic systems, and cultural narratives. Their inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 ranking signals not just individual accomplishment but a broader transformation in how African leadership is seen and valued around the world.
