1. Dupe Olusola (Nigeria)
Dupe Olusola is a distinguished Nigerian businesswoman recognized for her leadership in the hospitality industry. She has been honored with multiple awards, including the Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) award and was listed among the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. She also serves on the advisory board of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), Africa’s leading hospitality investment conference.
2. Zodwa Mkandla (Zimbabwe)
Zodwa Mkandla is a prominent Zimbabwean businesswoman and philanthropist. She founded Traverze Travel in 2003, which became the first travel agency in Zimbabwe to own an executive lounge at Harare International Airport. Her contributions to the tourism and travel industry have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the top 100 Women in Tourism and Travel in Africa.
3. Mary Dinah (Nigeria)
Mary Dinah is a Nigerian hotelier and social entrepreneur. She established M.A.D Hospitality, a London-based hospitality consulting firm, and founded the Mary Dinah Foundation, an international non-profit organization addressing food security and malnutrition across West and Central Africa. Her foundation’s Zero Hunger Program has distributed over 42 million meals, primarily to pregnant and lactating women and infants under two years of age.
4. Chiamaka Obuekwe (Nigeria)
Chiamaka Obuekwe is the co-founder and CEO of Social Prefect Tours, an African tourism company that connects people across the continent through guided tours, school excursions, group tours, and corporate retreats. Her work has been recognized internationally, and she has been featured on CNN’s Inside Africa.
5. Selassie Atadika (Ghana)
Selassie Atadika is a Ghanaian chef and food innovator who founded Midunu, a nomadic private dining experience in Accra, Ghana. She has traveled through 40 African countries, exploring diverse cuisines and culinary traditions, and is dedicated to creating a new African cuisine that honors the continent’s rich food heritage. She also runs an artisanal chocolate business and supports local farmers by promoting indigenous ingredients and sustainable practices.
