We honour 20 trailblazing women leaders at the helm of country and regional offices of multinational corporations and organizations in Africa. These women are breaking barriers and leading as role models for emerging and future women leaders.
Women CEOs in Africa are rare, occupying only 5% of the top positions, according to McKinsey’s Women Matter Africa report (2016).
Africa’s Women’s Day is a day to honour and acknowledge the vital role women play as the backbone of our economies and their significant contributions to Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development agenda. Here are some of the phenomenal women leaders from across diverse sectors including, banking, technology and telecommunications who have made it to the top. See the full list:
Dr Afua Asabea Asare – CEO Ghana Export Promotion Council, Ghana
Dr. Asabea Asare led the development and launch of the National Export Development Strategy, targeting $25.3 billion in export earnings by 2029. Her leadership in GEPA has boosted Ghana’s export potential and empowered women entrepreneurs, contributing to economic diversification and growth.
Funke Opeke – Founder & CEO of Main One Cable Company, Nigeria
Funke founded MainOne, a key player in West Africa’s telecom sector, renowned for its $240 million undersea cable project. Despite challenges, she secured funding for transformative projects that boosted local tech growth. MainOne’s 2022 acquisition by Equinix highlights Opeke’s strategic vision for advancing Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Ndidi Nwuneli – CEO One Campaign, Nigeria
With 25+ years in international development, she focuses on agriculture, nutrition, and social innovation in Africa. Ndidi is referred to as a multilingual leader capable of bridging sectors and geographies. She aims to enhance financing, policies, and activism amidst economic and climate challenges.
Diane Karusisi – Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Kigali Plc, Rwanda
Dr. Karusisi stands out for her role in shaping Rwanda’s economic policies. Under her leadership, the Bank of Kigali, the largest bank in Rwanda, has achieved substantial growth through digital transformation and financial inclusion. She is also dedicated to mentoring young professionals and promoting gender equality.
Catherine Lesetedi – Group CEO, Botswana Insurance Holdings Ltd, Botswana
With over two decades of experience, Catherine has strengthened BIHL’s market presence through strategic vision, innovation, and customer-centric solutions, making it a leading insurance provider in Botswana. Her leadership and contributions have earned several accolades, highlighting her dedication to financial inclusion and economic development in the region.
Dara Treseder – Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk
Dara has made significant contributions to global and African markets, previously holding key positions at Carbon and Peloton. Recognized as one of Africa’s top 50 Corporate and Career Women by Leading Ladies Africa, her work focuses on amplifying authentic diversity and inclusion efforts within organizations, and she advocates for the untapped potential of African consumers in the global market.
Agnes Gathaiya – Country Director Google, Eastern Africa, Kenya
Agnes has more than 23 years of progressive experience in organizational transformation, predominantly focused on developing strategy and providing commercial leadership in sales and business development. She was also recognized in 2010 as a Top 40 Under 40 Woman by Business Daily.
Xoliswa Daku – CEO, Daku Group of Companies, South Africa
Apart from running a 100% black-owned firm specializing in mixed-use property development and management, Daku launched the Daku Group Academy in 2017, focusing on mentoring women in business across South Africa and providing essential skills and opportunities. Through the academy, Daku aims to bridge the gap in business education and support, fostering a new generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs.
Caroline Abel – Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles, Seychelles
Caroline Abel is the first woman to serve as governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles. Under her leadership, the Central Bank has implemented key monetary policies that stabilized the Seychellois economy. Abel’s focus on financial inclusion, economic resilience, and modernization of the banking sector has driven substantial progress.
Ireti Samuel-Ogbu- CEO & Country Officer for Nigeria & Ghana at Citibank/Citigroup Inc.
Ireti Samuel-Ogbu has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving impactful change within the financial industry. Her oversight of the bank’s operations and business activities across Nigeria and Ghana has significantly contributed to growth, enhanced client relationships, and achieved operational excellence.
Nevine Wefky – Deputy CEO, Wholesale Banking Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, Egypt
Nevine’s leadership fosters strategic growth initiatives that strengthen Kuwait’s financial landscape and contribute to regional prosperity across the Middle East and Africa. She is known for her contributions to institutional banking, sustainable economic development, advocacy for gender equality in the workplace, and her role in mentoring programs that support women balancing work and family commitments.
Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi – CEO, MTN Cameroon
Mitwa was awarded MTN Group CEO of the Year 2023 for her exceptional leadership and contributions to the company’s success across Africa and the Middle East. She is a prominent leader in the telecommunications industry, known for her significant contributions to Africa’s digital transformation and financial inclusion. One of her prominent achievements when she was CEO of MTN Rwanda was overseeing Its listing on the stock exchange.
Patty Karuaihe-Martin – Managing Director, NamibRe, Namibia
Under her leadership, NamibRe has grown significantly, ensuring the corporation’s robust financial performance and strengthening Namibia’s insurance sector while also contributing to economic stability and resilience. Patty has been instrumental in promoting the participation of women in the insurance and reinsurance sectors,by supporting initiatives aimed at empowering women professionals.
Juliette Weisflog- Country Officer, Citi Group, Gabon
As Country Officer at Citi Group in Gabon, Juliette spearheads financial inclusion initiatives and economic development through strategic leadership and impactful community engagement. Her efforts contribute significantly to Gabon’s sustainable growth agenda, fostering resilience and prosperity in the region. Notable achievements include significant increases in financial accessibility for underserved communities.
Mukwandi Chibesakunda- CEO, Zanaco, Zambia
Mukwandi is the first female CEO of Zanaco, driving substantial growth and digital transformation. Her efforts have been recognized with various awards, highlighting her leadership and commitment to innovation in the banking sector. She has championed financial inclusion by launching initiatives that provide banking services to underserved communities, including women and rural populations.
Jane Karuku- CEO and Group MD, East African Breweries PLC
Jane has driven EABL’s growth and innovation, leading to significant financial improvements and market expansion. Under her leadership, 40% of senior roles are now held by women, showcasing her commitment to gender equality. Karuku’s exceptional leadership earned her the CEO of the Year award at the Africa CEO Forum Awards, further contributing to East Africa’s economic development.
Reem Asaad- Vice President, Middle East, Turkiye, Romania, CIS and Africa at Cisco
Reem leads Cisco’s efforts to shape the future of work with innovative collaboration technologies and promote hybrid work environments. She emphasizes proactive cybersecurity strategies and AI-driven solutions to combat evolving threats. Through initiatives like the Cisco Networking Academy, Asaad also addresses the skills gap in the Middle East and Africa, supporting digital transformation and fostering inclusive growth globally.
Lillian Barnard- Microsoft, President of Microsoft Africa, South Africa
Lillian rose to become President of Microsoft Africa through strategic vision and a strong commitment to advancing technology across the continent since joining in 2017. Her leadership focuses on driving digital transformation, empowering businesses and individuals through innovative solutions, and promoting inclusive growth in Africa.
Hanan Morsy- Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Egypt
Morsy has a wealth of cross-country experience and vast expertise in leading top-quality policy and development work, building strong partnerships, and working across sectors. She has a wide range of publications on economic and development issues.
Zohra Slim- Co-Founder & CWO, InstaDeep Ltd, Tunisia
Zohra is a pioneer in AI and deep learning technologies. Her journey as an African woman in tech to a global AI leader from Tunisia emphasizes her entrepreneurial mindset. She actively participates in initiatives to empower women in tech, highlighting the importance of equality and equity in technology to drive positive societal and economic changes in Tunisia.