Women Impacting Africa - Women Impacting Nigeria
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Women Impacting Africa
Meet Our Founder Tope Imasekha is a Development Economics Specialist. As an innovative leader, strong advocate and strategist she dedicates her time to women empowerment and women’s human rights. Her passion and commitment to serving humanity led her to birth a leading grassroots humanitarian and development organization, Women impacting Nigeria (WIN). WIN is a female run NGO dedicated to gender equality and empowerment of women in communities across Nigeria through the impact-driven solutions. Under her leadership as the organization’s CEO, Women Impacting Nigeria has impacted over 800,000 women and children since its inception. She is an inspiration to young women, an award-winning African leader who takes it as her primary responsibility to ensure that women live a life free from hunger, violence, and discrimination.
ABOUT US
Women Impacting Nigeria Foundation (WIN) is want women to lead, participate in government
a female-led, not-for-profit organization systems, have a decent livelihood, income
dedicated to women’s human rights, gender security, economic autonomy and live free from
equality and empowerment of women. violence.
Our mission is to foster the empowerment of We offer impact-driven, community centred
women by supporting and equipping vulnerable programs and have reached over 800,000
women and children in the areas of education, women and 10,000 SMEs in Nigeria alone.
and health; and to advocate for equal represen-
tation in politics, for the advancement of the We welcome you to partner with us, together we
nation can make a tremendous impact in the lives of
women and children across Nigeria. Through
A mission that will change Nigeria for the better, your support, women and girls can rewrite their
we believe that women empowerment and stories and empower their families and give back
gender equality is critical to achieving the to their communities.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We
Goal Setting, A Vital Requirement To Financial Freedom Olubunmi Lawal Nobody wants to worry about money. Sadly, only importance is to be consistent. a few people ever achieve the financial freedom 4. Take actionable steps, give yourself a target, which we all desire. invest little, grow that investment, and expand This enlightening sheds light on valuable your portfolio. Digitization has provided better goal-setting tips for attaining financial freedom. ways to save and probably invest. Mobile apps Goal-setting involves creating an action plan like a piggy bank, AjoMoney, Chaka, Bamboo, and designed to motivate and guide a person or a more make saving and investment fast and easy. group towards a goal. It is an action-based Also, financial planning apps like Mint, Expensify, process that needs to be SMART (specific, Budget, Spendee, all available on Google play, measurable, actionable, realistic, and have made it convenient to monitor, set, and time-bound.) Without a doubt, financial freedom achieve financial goals at the same time. Having stems from goal-setting. a portfolio allows you to diversify your income in As soon as you commit to the necessary amount various investment opportunities that can yield of financial planning, you’re a few steps towards massive returns. attaining financial independence. Setting finan- 5. Preferably, you may join a monthly contribution cial goals puts you in control of your finances. group or cooperative that has passed the test of Simply put, financial freedom is the attainment reliability and trustworthiness. of financial capability by self-equipping to foot With these few tips, you will be surprised how needs at any given time, without financial con- much you make if you are dedicated. straints. In the current state of the economy, many people Embrace the process. Building wealth has little to have fallen into the hands of loan sharks, massive do with your socioeconomic status, but your dis- debt, loss of property, and all sorts of financial cipline and determination. jeopardy. Believe in yourself. “Securing the bag” begins from the little self-re- Start small, learn and practice but above all, straint you take with whatever income you have. start now! You must first live within your means and think long-term if you want financial freedom. The truth is that goal-setting can improve your finances, cushion the effect of losses and prevent you from paying high-interest loans. Here are a few things you can do 1. Get a journal dedicated to your finances, visualize and write down the financial goal you intend to achieve. 2. Be realistic yet challenging. You can do this by examining your sources of income, your total expenditure, and your investments. 3. Then you can set a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly goal depending on your preference. The
Women Impacting Africa This is a first-of-its-kind African unranked compilation of leading women, drawn from different niches yet impacting their communities, countries and the continent at large. Women who are challenging the status quo and creating a trail for others to follow. They are reshaping history, bridging inequality gaps and pioneering new innovations while lifting others.
Aya Chebbi Ayodeji Osowobi
Aya Chebbi, is a Pan-African activist, Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi is a
Tunisian diplomat and feminist. Nigerian women's rights activist. She
is the founder of the Stand to End
She rose to prominence as a voice for Rape Initiative. In 2019 she was the
democracy and shot to global fame as second Nigerian women to be named
a political blogger during 2010/2011 to Time 100 Next list, and she was the
Tunisia’s Revolution. She received the Commonwealth Young Person of the
2019 Gates Foundation Campaign Year for that same year
Award and was named in Forbes’
Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women and
New African Magazine List of 100
Most Influential Africans.
Rebecca Enochong Elizabeth Nyamayaro
"Rebecca Enonchong is a Cameroo- "Elizabeth Nyamayaro, is an award-
nian born technology entrepreneur and winning humanitarian, previous United
also the founder and CEO of AppsTech. Nations Senior Advisor on Gender
She is best known for her work Equality and founder of @heforshe
promoting technology in Africa. movement.
Enonchong has been a recipient of Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has
various awards from organizations worked at the forefront of global
such as the World Economic Forum development for over two decades
improving the lives of underserved
" populations and has held leadership
roles at the World Bank, World Health
Organization, UNAIDS, and UN
Women."
Saran Kaba Jones Agnes Binagwaho (Prof)
Saran Kaba Jones is a Liberian- "Agnes Binagwaho is a Rwandan
American clean water advocate and pediatrician and currently the Vice
social entrepreneur. She is the founder Chancellor of the University of Global
of FACE Africa, an organization Health Equity. Since 1996, she has
working to strengthen water, provided clinical care in the public
sanitation and hygiene infrastructure sector as well as held a number of
and services in rural communities project management, health system
across sub-Saharan Africa with a strengthening, and government
focus on women, education, health and positions, including Permanent
sustainability. Secretary of the Ministry of Health of
Rwanda from October 2008 until May
2011 and Minister of Health from May
Folashade Ambrose Medebem Agnes Kalibata
Fola is a consummate multi-faceted Agnes Matilda Kalibata is a Rwandan
and proven business leader with an agricultural scientist and policymaker,
extensive background in finance, and president of the Alliance for a Green
strategy, and project/change Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
management, business development, Kalibata has been instrumental in
thought leadership, sustainable advocating for gender equality in
development and management Rwanda, emphasizing the economic
consulting across a wide industry benefits of encouraging women to play
spectrum in the UK, Nigeria, and a more public role in society as Rwanda
Europe. She is the Founder Women recovered from the 1994 Rwandan
Inspiring Impact Network. genocide that killed 800,000 people in
three months and left Rwanda's
population 60% female.
Amanda Mukwashi Amina J. Mohammed
Chief Executive Officer, Christrain Aid, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi has devoted Secretary-General of the United Nations
more than 25 years to working on and Chair of the United Nations
poverty alleviation, tackling injustice Sustainable Development Group.
Ms. Mohammed began her career working
and inequalities. She has worked in
on the design of schools and clinics in
both intergovernmental and non-gov-
Nigeria. She served as an advocate
ernmental spaces, bringing in-depth focused on increasing access to education
experience from across the develop- and other social services, before moving
ment sector. into the public sector, where she rose to
the position of adviser to three successive
Presidents on poverty, public sector
reform, and sustainable development.Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu Juliet Ehivmuan
Ms. Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu is the CEO of Juliet Ehimuan is a Nigerian
the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a technology expert and entrepreneur
leading African philanthropy commit- who currently serves as Google's
ted to empowering African entrepre- Country Manager in Nigeria.
neurs. In August 2011, she was listed in Forbes
Ugochukwu is focused on strengthen- "20 Youngest Power Women In Africa”.
ing relationships between the African She is the founder of ""Beyond Limits
and the global entrepreneurship Africa" an initiative, born out of a
ecosystem, empowering African desire to help young people become
entrepreneurs creating jobs and the best versions of themselves."
wealth on the continent.
Angélique Kidjo Stephanie Okereke Linus
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Nigerian actress, producer, and director.
Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, Convener, Extended Hands Foundation,
known as Angélique Kidjo, is a an NGO that seeks to restore the
Beninese-American singer-songwriter, dignity of women in Africa by
actress, and activist who is noted for facilitating free repair treatments for
her diverse musical influences and girls and women with obstetric fistula"
creative music videos.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Graça Machel
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an International advocate for women's and
internationally recognised South African children's rights; former freedom fighter
singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and first Education Minister of
humanitarian and teacher. Mozambique. Former First Lady of South
Chaka Chaka is a champion for the Africa.
Graça Machel is a member of the Africa
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and
Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten
malaria, the United Nations MDG Envoy
distinguished individuals who advocate at
for Africa, and the Goodwill Ambassador the highest levels for equitable and
for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. sustainable development in Africa. As a
In 2012, she was the first African woman panel member she facilitates coalition
to receive the World Economic Forum's building to leverage and broker knowledge,
Crystal Award. and convenes decision-makers to influence
policy for lasting change in Africa.
Kamissa Camara Ndileka Mandela
Secretary-General, Mali Presidency. Ndileka Mandela is a social activist,
She has spoken about the issues of former ICU nurse, and the head of a
regional security and alleged human rights rural upliftment organisation, the
violations. As of December 2018, when she Thembekile Mandela Foundation in
gave a speech to the United Nations
South Africa
General Assembly in Marrakech deploring
the withdrawal of some countries from the
Global Compact for Migration, she was the
world's youngest Foreign minister.
She is also the founder and co-chair of the
Sahel Strategy Forum, which provides a
platform for stakeholders to promote
peace, security and development across
the Sahel.
Tope Imasekha Lupita Nyong’o
A brilliant development Economics Aside from acting, Nyong'o supports
specialist. As an innovative leader, strong historic preservation. She is vocal about
advocate and strategist she dedicates her preventing sexual harassment, working for
time to women empowerment and women’s women's and animal rights.
human rights. She is the founder of Women Also in 2019, Nyong'o narrated the
Impacting Nigeria, a female-led non for Discovery Channel docu-series Serengeti,
profit organization dedicated to gender which earned her a Primetime Emmy
equality, empowerment of women and Award nomination for Outstanding
committed to seeing all women and girls live Narrator. Nyong'o was cited as one of the
a life free from hunger, violence, and Top 100 most influential Africans by New
discriminiation. African magazine in 2019. Nyong'o was
Offering impact-orientated, community
named among Africa's "50 Most Powerful
centered solutions, reaching over 800000
Women" by Forbes in 2020.
women and 10000 SMES in Nigeria alone.Obiageli Ezekwesili Folorunso Alakija
Oby Ezekwesili, is a Public Analyst/Senior Folorunso Alakija is a Nigerian
Economic Advisor, AEDPI, Nigerian chartered billionaire businesswoman. Through
accountant from Anambra state. A
presidential candidate in the Nigerian 2019
her Rose of Sharon Foundation,
presidential Election. Obiageli (Oby) Ezekwesi- Mrs. Alakija empowers widows and
li is a daring advocate who’s led pioneering their children as well as orphans. In
initiatives that challenge extremism, obedience to the word of God and
corruption and gender-based violence. When working according to His will and
Boko Haram abducted 300 Chibok girls in
2014, Oby was one of the first to speak out.
purpose, she and her husband founded
She co-founded the Bring Back Our Girls a house fellowship which has grown to
campaign, taking to the streets and become a full-fledged Christian
galvanizing global calls for action. Even in the Ministry known as the Rose of Sharon
face of threats and intimidation from Glorious Ministry International.
extremists, Oby refuses to remain silent.
Arunma Oteh Vera Songwe
Former Treasurer and a Vice President of "Vera Songwe is an economist and
the World Bank. She became the Director banking executive from Cameroon who
General of the Securities and Exchange has worked for the World Bank since
Commission in Nigeria in January 2010. In 1998, and in 2015 became Western and
2011 Oteh was made an Officer of the Order
Central Africa's regional director for the
of the Niger (OON) in recognition of her
International Finance Corporation, She
contribution to economic development and
to transforming the Nigerian capital is the first woman to head the U.N.s
markets. In 2014, Oteh won the CNBC Africa Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
All Africa Business Leaders Awards at the level of Under Secretary-General.
(AABLA) Business Woman of the Year Songwe was involved in Africa 2.0, an
category for West Africa. In 2020, Forbes initiative to bring young Africans
listed her among Africa's 50 Most Powerful together to aid in the continent's
Women. economic development.
Tara Fela-Durotoye Manal Rostom
Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian Manal Rostom is an activist and an
beauty entrepreneur and lawyer. A athlete. Manal has achieved many
pioneer in the bridal makeup profession firsts for Arab and Egyptian women on
in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal her remarkable journey; the first
directory in 1999, set up international Hijabi woman to model in a Nike
standard makeup studios and Running campaign; the first Arab to be
established the first makeup school in featured in an audio guided run on the
Nigeria. Tara has over 3,000 reps Global Nike Run Club app; the first
spread across Nigeria. Tara remains an Egyptian woman to run the Great wall
inspirational role-model and mentor to of China Marathon in 2016; the first
make-up artists and aspiring beauty Egyptian woman to summit Mont
business owners across Africa." Blanc in 2018.
Mamokgethi Phakeng Olajumoke Adenowo
Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng GCOB Olajumoke Olufunmilola Adenowo is an
is a South African professor of architect by profession. She is also an
mathematics education who in 2018 entrepreneur and philanthropist, a
became a vice-chancellor of the public speaker, radio host and author.
University of Cape Town. CNN described her as "Africa's
Kgethi founded the non-profit Starchitect" and The Guardian has
described her as "the face of
organization Adopt-A-Learner. It
Architecture in Nigeria.
was created for the purpose of
providing deserving lower-income
learners with financial support."
Winnie Byanyima Thuli Madonsela
Winnie Byanyima, a grass-roots activist, Thulisile Nomkhosi “Thuli" Madonsela is a
human rights advocate, senior South African advocate and professor of
international public servant, and world law, holding a chair in social justice at
recognized expert on women’s rights, is Stellenbosch University since January
currently Executive Director of UNAIDS. 2018.
A world recognized expert on women's An advocate for Gender equality and the
rights, she founded the Forum for advancement of women, Madonsela is a
Women in Democracy (FOWODE), a member of South African Women Lawyers
leading NGO in Uganda and has served Association (SAWLA) and Business
at the African Union Commission and at Women’s Association of South Africa
the United Nations Development (BWASA). In 2012, she was honoured with
South Africa’s most Influential Women
Programme as Director of Gender and
Award."
Development.Edel Were Millen Magese
Edel Were is a Strategy Consultant at Millen Happiness Magese is a world-re-
Dalberg Advisors and co-leads nowned fashion model and humble
Dalberg's Education and Employment humanitarian. The former Miss Tanzania
platform. At Dalberg, she has advised can often be found giving her time, talents,
and energy to making a difference in the
government and non-government
lives of those who are less fortunate
organizations on education and youth
through her significant contributions to
employment initiatives across Africa. charities such as the Tanzania Education
Trust, African Rainforest Conservancy,
and the MacDella Cooper Foundation. She
has also established the Millen Magese
foundation to empower women and girls
of Tanzania.
Ibukun Awosika Gbemisola Osadua
Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika is a Gbemisola Osadua is an experienced
Nigerian business woman, motivation- executive leader and manager of
al speaker and an author. She currently projects with proven records of
serves as Chairman of First Bank of innovation, effective communication,
Nigeria ability to enhance team performance
and deliver results.
Chiamaka Uzomba Blessings Timidi
"Chiamaka Uzomba is a social justice Blessings has over 15 years of experience
advocate, certified project manager working with girls and women on their
and researcher. Sexual Reproductive Health and rights
such as Teenage Pregnancy, Menstrua-
Chiamaka seeks to increase women’s tion, Rape, Female Genital Mutilation
access to family planning, community among others while highlighting the
engagement to end child, early, and blurred lines between Culture, Religion
forced marriage (CEFM) and female and Gender Based Violence. She is
genital mutilation (FGM)." committed to using research, storytell-
ing, community mobilization and
engagement to work on issues that
affect girls and women.
Judicaelle Irakoze Amadi Jennifer
Judicaelle Irakoze is an Afro-Political Gender & ReproHealth Advocate, She
feminist activist, passionate about advocates for youth-forward policies
articulating the experiences of and their implementation in SRHR with
women and overall, the youth. a gender lens.
Feyikemi Abudu Odunayo Eweniyi
Feyikemi Abudu isn't just a full-time "Nigerian entrepreneur, founder of
influencer on Twitter but she amplified PiggyBank.ng.
the voice of young Nigerians during the
#EndSARS movement She sits on the advisory board of
TrainFuture, an Education Technology
company based in Switzerland, as well
as the Gender Lens Acceleration Best
Practices Initiative, a collaborative
effort of Village Capital, US and the
International Finance Corporation
(IFC)’s Women Entrepreneurs Finance
Initiative (WeFi)."Damilola Odufuwa Mosunmola Abudu
Feminist Coalition co-founder Damilo- "a Nigerian media mogul, philanthropist.
la Odufuwa, a srong advocate for the
empowerment of women, equality, and She has been described by Forbes as
education ""Africa's Most Successful Woman"", and
rated as one of the ""25 Most Powerful
Women in Global Television"" by 'The
Hollywood Reporter'."
Ola Brown Maya Haya Famodu
"a British-Nigerian medical doctor, Nigerian-American entrepreneur,
healthcare entrepreneur and founder founder and partner at Ingressive, a
of the Flying Doctors Healthcare firm that provides market entry,
Investment Group and Director technology research and market
Greentree Investment Company, she operations services for firms and
seeks to bridge good healthcare and businesses expanding into Africa
economic growth/employment in
Africa .
"
Elsie Kanza Adaku Ufere Awoonor
Elsie is a Tanzanian Econnomist, She Nigerian Energy Professional and an
serves as the Senior Director, Head of international oil and gas, gender and
Africa at the World Economic Forum. At development lawyer. Adaku also renders legal
the Forum the Africa Team is responsible services to fight against sexual and
gender-based violence, providing prevention
for the Forum’s Africa Strategy and
mechanisms and supporting survivors with
champions multi-stakeholder regional psychosocial services. She holds the position of
initiatives, such as Grow Africa the Head of Legal at STER Initiative, a
partnership initiative, Africa Strategic Not-for-Profit organization. In 2019, STER
Infrastructure Initiative, Water Resources collaborated with Nigeria’s National Agency
Group Partnership initiative, and for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons,
Responsible Mineral Development along with 15 non-governmental
Initiative in collaboration with regional organisations, supported by the British
organisations. Council, to set up Nigeria first ever Sex
Offenders Registry.
Hauwa Ojeifo Admiral Itunu Hotonu
"Hauwa Ojeifo is a Nigerian sexual Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu is a
Violence and mental health activist. She Nigerian naval officer and architect.
is known to be the first Nigerian female One of the first women officers and
to have received a Queen's Young amongst the first architects in the
Leader Award for her work. She is the Nigerian Navy, she has served as a
Executive Director at She Writes staff college instructor and abroad in
Woman (SWW); an award-winning Liberia.
movement that gives mental health a
voice in Nigeria. She is the creator of
Safe Place Nigeria - a virtual community
for mental health-conscious Nigerians
to access digital mental healthcare,
self-care tools and wellness resources.
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Betty Irabor
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Betty Irabor is a Nigerian columnist,
Nigerian-American economist and philanthropist, writer, publisher and
international development expert. She founder of Genevieve magazine. She
sits on the boards of Standard previously had a column in Black &
Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Beauty magazine in the United
Alliance for Vaccines and Immuniza- Kingdom. She also has a foundation
tion, and the African Risk Capacity that promotes breast cancer
awareness, early detection and
treatment.Kofo Akinkugbe Esther Agbarakwe
Kofo Akinkugbe is a Nigerian technolo- Founder of the Nigerian Youth Climate
gy entrepreneur. She is founder and Coalition and an international climate
CEO of SecureID, Africa's leading change campaigner with experience
manufacturer of smart cards and working on environmental sustainability,
social and environmental policy analysis,
other identity documents. Her group of
biodiversity conservation, justice and
companies owns Nigeria's first SIM
reproductive health and rights.
card production plant, in operation
since December 2016.
Certified by Visa, Verve and Master-
card, the company exports SIM cards
to 21 other African countries."
Hadiza Bala-Usman Joke Silva
Hadiza is a prinicipal initiator of the "Joke Silva, MFR is a Nigerian actress,
Bring Back Our Girls campaign – a director, and businesswoman. Founder
global online and offline campaign of Hear Word Initiative. In accordance
aimed at freeing 219 school girls with the UN policy of enlisting
abducted by the vicious Boko Haram at prominent figures in art, music, film,
Chibok sport and literature to assist with their
campaigns, Silva's role was focused on
her participation in the fight against
human trafficking in Nigeria, she also
worked fighting human trafficking and
was part of the "I Am Priceless"
campaign, which had also received
support from the Nigerian authorities.
Nike Davies-Okundaye Chimuanya Dike
Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, also known Shes the team lead of the millennia of
as Nike Okundaye, Nike Twins Seven Nigeria for REES Africa embarking on
Seven and Nike Olaniyi, is a Nigerian batik various environmental projects from
and Adire textile designer. Chief Nike is clean ups to providing of alternative
the founder and director of four art power sources for less privileged
centres, which offers free training to communities earning global recogni-
young artists in visual, musical and the
tion as well
performing arts. She is the owner of the
largest art gallery in West Africa,
compromising over 7,000 artworks. The
centres also serve as a rich source of
knowledge for traditional arts and culture
to scholars and institutions.
Adebola Deji-Kurunmi Chinemenma Umeseaka
Adebola Deji-kurunmi is a transformation- She is the present special Adviser to
al catalyst equipping a new breed Abia State governor on Teenage
of,visionaries, thought leaders and social Matters. She is a seasoned teen's
saviors for Africa’s Emmergence. She owns
coach in Africa, she is the producer and
a coaching company called immerse
coaching company and also a director in host of Teen's time with Chichi on
ideation hub. Immerse coaching company AFRICA INDEPENDENCE
is a coaching company that has been in TELEVISION (AIT) TELEVISION,
operation for over five years and they have Inspiration FM Radio Lagos and FLO
been so intentional with the mind transfor- FM in Abia State.
mation of women and shift them into a
higher version of themselves. Ideation hub
also work with NGO who are interested in
changing the Africa sector.
Afua Osei Yasmin Bello Osagie
Afua Osei is an entrepreneur, investor "Co-founder she leads africa, creating
and public speaker who co-founded the best digital content and offline
She Leads Africa, a media company for events to help young African women
millennial African women. build amazing careers and businesses,
She Leads Africa provides women serve as community leaders and
across more than 35 countries with influencers, and eventually take over
business and career advice and has the world.
been featured in several international In 2015, Belo-Osagie took five female
publications including The Financial entrepreneurs to China to meet with
Times, CNN, CNBC Africa, Huffington successful women entrepreneurs and
Post, and Black Enterprise. China-based investors interested in
Africa.Anita Kemi DaSilva Bola Tinubu
Anita Kemi DaSilva is a specialist Bola is a Partner in the law firm of Olajide
Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a Oyewole LLP (a member of DLA Piper
medical background that extends to Africa) and leads it’s Corporate Practice.
Public Health. She is also the founder She has over 25 years’ experience in
advising businesses as an expert on
of Women at Risk Foundation, one of
company law. Bola is also the founder of
the nation’s foremost anti sexual
The Cece Yara Foundation, an award
violence organizations that raises winning non-profit organization, which
awareness and addresses the established Nigeria’s first free Child
prevalence of rape and gender based Helpline and first Child Advocacy Centre,
violence in Nigeria through the providing free legal, medical and
development and implementation of a psycho-social services for children who
series of initiatives have been sexually abused.
Chidi Koldsweat Jennifer Riria
Chidi Koldsweat is an international Jennifer Riria, is a Kenyan business-
development professional and the woman, corporate executive, banker,
founder of Donors for Africa. She is a and academic who serves as the group
recipient of numerous awards chief executive officer of Kenya Women
including CEO Global's Africa most Holding Group, a microfinance, banking
influential woman in management, and insurance group serving nearly one
business & public service (civil society million mostly rural Kenyan women.
category)
Louise Mushikiwabo Waris Dirie
Louise Mushikiwabo is the fourth and Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author,
current Secretary General of actress and human rights activist in
Organisation internationale de la the fight against Female Genital
Francophonie. She previously served as Mutilation. She is also the Founder
the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Desert Flower Foundation
Cooperation of Rwanda from 2009 to
2018. She also served as Government
Spokesperson. She had previously been
Minister of Information
Glenda Gray Precious Motsepe
Glenda is a South African physician, Precious Moloi-Motsepe is a South
scientist and activist specializing in the African fashion entrepreneur and a
care of children and in HIV medicine philanthropist of Tswana descent. Her
company ran the Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week in Johannesburg and
Cape Town
Hajer Sharief Ilwad Elman
Hajer Sharief, 25 year old human rights is a Somali-Canadian social activist.
advocate from Libya, she is also thee She works at the Elman Peace and
co-founder of “Together we build it” Human Rights Center in Mogadishu
alongside her mother Fartuun Adan,
the NGO's founder. Beyond her duties
at Elman Peace; Ilwad is an advocate
for the Kofi Annan foundation’s latest
initiative called Extremely Together,
where she and 9 other youth leaders
under the mentorship of Mr. Kofi
Annan are Preventing Violent Extrem-
ism by inspiring, engaging and empow-Fartuun Adan Judy Dlamini
Adan is the Executive Director of the Judy Dlamini is a South African
Elman Peace and Human Rights entrepreneur, medical doctor,
Centre, a Mogadishu-based NGO philanthropist, and author. She is the
established in honour of her late Founder and Executive Chairman of
husband.[4] She serves as the Mbekani Group. Also, she is the first
organization's Executive Director, black female Chancellor of the
while their daughter Ilwad works University of the Witwatersand.
alongside her. Aside the Mbekani Group, Judy and her
Through the center, she also co-found- husband, Sizwe are also co-founded
ed Sister Somalia, the country's first Mkhiwa Trust; a family Public Benefit
program for assistance of victims of Organisation (PBO) with a focus on
sexual violence. rural development and education.
Tsitsi Masiyiwa Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Tsitsi Masiyiwa is an African Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian
philanthropist and social entrepreneur politician who served as the 24th
who has devoted her life to empower- President of Liberia from 2006 to
ing the lives of young people through 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected
education. female head of state in Africa.
Mayowa Adegbile Itoro Eze-Anaba
"Mayowa Adegbile is a Nigerian Founder Mirabel Centre the first
Philanthropist known for excelling as Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
one of the three Nigerians that made it in Nigeria, and the second in West
to the top 10 finalists in the year 2014 Africa. Established and managed by
Google Africa Connected competition. the Partner for Justice; a programme
Mayowa currently serves as the CEO by the British Council to provide
of Ashake Foundation, a Non-Govern- holistic and high quality medical and
mental Organization that focuses on psychosocial services to survivors of
the plight of widows and their children sexual assault and rape.
with various relief services in their
businesses, children’s Educational
supplies and Educational financing.
Ayisha Oshori Arc Lola Ibrahim
Ayisha is a lawyer, consultant and communi- An innovative professional whose
cation strategist with 18 years experience in outstanding expertise cuts across
the public and private sectors. In the last four
years she has consulted for the World Bank,
agriculture and social entrepreneur-
United Nations Development Fund, United ship, environmental services, construc-
Nations Children’s Fund, the Department for tion, gender advocacy and she counsels
International Development, the Royal on sexual and gender based violence in
Institute of International Affairs and the schools & marginalized communities.
National Centre for Women’s Development
on gender equality, women’s empowerment,
She is the founder of WAVE Founda-
research on women’s economic opportunities tion and Stop the Cut Initiative, a
in the North East post –conflict and gender program that seeks to end FGM in
mainstreaming of development, peace and Africa.
recovery plans in the North East.
Liya Kebede Oreoluwa Somolu-Lesi
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian-born She is the founder and executive
model, maternal health advocate, director of Women's Technology
clothing designer, and actress. She has Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), a
appeared on the cover of Vogue three non-profit organisation that empow-
times. Kebede has served as the ers women and girls socially and
WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, economically through education in
Newborn and Child Health since 2005. Information technology.Hafsat Abiola-Costello Evon Benson Idahosa
Founder of Kudirat Initiative for R. Evon Benson-Idahosa, the founder
Democracy (KIND), a not-for-profit and Executive Director of PJI, is a
organization based in Lagos, Nigeria, Nigerian native, a leading expert and
aims to empower democracy and thought leader on the subject of
development in Africa by strengthen- modern day slavery in sub-Saharan
ing organizations and creating Africa and a trained English Barrister
initiatives dedicated to the advance- and American lawyer
ment of women
Uloma Ogba Dr Hauwa Balami
Uloma is Gender and Financial Dr Hauwa is a medical doctor with a
Inclusion Specialist at MarketShare keen interest in public health and
Associates, she is also the Co-founder health policy. A cofounder of GIVE
of Give Girls a Chance an organization GIRLS A CHANCE FOUNDATION, She
established to increase access to is passionate about gender equality,
quality education for girls across girl child education, creating opportu-
Nigeria. nities for girls and women in all areas
of their life (health, education and
leadership) and making a difference in
her niche.
Toyin Saraki Ndidi Nwuneli
Toyin Ojora-Saraki is a global health Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a social
advocate, healthcare philanthropist entrepreneur, author and speaker. She is
and the Founder-President of the co-founder of Sahel Consulting, a
Wellbeing Foundation Africa private equity and investment advisory
firm. She has effected changes and
shaped agriculture policies and
strategies in West Africa through Sahel.
She is also the founder of Leap Africa, a
nonprofit that inspires, empowers and
equips a new cadre of African leaders by
providing the skills and tools for
personal, organizational and community
transformation.
Mary Olushoga Lola Omolola
Mary Olushoga is founder of Lola Omolola is a Nigerian former
awpnetwork.com, a platform powering small journalist who founded the Female IN
business success for African entrepreneurs
group on Facebook. Lola is the first
Nigerian woman who created a place
where other women can share their
untold stories regarding their sexual
abuses, and other challenges they are
facing
Olufunke Baruwa Unoma Okorafor
Olufunke Baruwa is a Nigerian gender Unoma Ndili Okorafor is a Nigerian
and development practitioner, feminist computer scientist and entrepreneur.
and public speaker with a focus on Okorafor founded Working to Advance
gender, public policy and governance. African Women, a program which
She is the CEO, Nigerian Women Trust supports African women in technology,
Fund, a technical & financial resource in 2007
for women in governance & decision
making in Nigeria. Provided strategic
guidance & mobilised resources. She is
the Program Officer, Petroleum
Special Trust Fund and National
Poverty Eradication Programme.Martha Alade Nkemdilim Begho
Martha Alade is the founder of Women "CEO, Future Software Resources Ltd.
in Technology in Nigeria(WITIN), a (Futuresoft).
non-profit that empowers women and Nkemdilim is an active board member
girls socio-economically through of the World Summit Youth Award, a
technology. global online e-content contest
focused on the implementation of the
MDGs. She is also the co-founder of
The Bake for Change Development
Foundation, an NGO focused on
empowering street children that are
being rehabilitated in 7 Lagos State
run homes."
Aminetou Mint El-Moctar Isatou Touray
Aminetou Mint El-Moctar is a Isatou Touray is a Gambian politician,
Mauritainian politician and women's activist, and social reformer. A noted
rights activist. She was shortlisted for campaigner against female genital
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and is mutilation, she became the first
the first Mauritanian woman to be female Gambian presidential
considered for the award. candidate in 2016, before dropping out
to endorse Adama Barrow and
Coalition 2016.
Leymah Roberta Gbowee Osayi Alile
Leymah Roberta Gbowee is a Liberian Osayi is the CEO of ACT Foundation, a
peace activist responsible for leading a grant making organization established
women's nonviolent peace movement, in 2016 to support local, national and
Women of Liberia Mass Action for regional non - profit organizations
Peace that helped bring an end to the working to address challenges and
Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. associated vulnerabilities across the
African Continent.
Bisi Adeleye Fayemi Hilda Tadria
First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria as wife of Hilda M. Tadria is an Ugandan
the Ekiti State Governor 2019–2023. women's rights activist, a gender and
A British-Nigerian feminist activist, writer
and policy advocate, in 2001 she co-founded
social development specialist, and the
the African Women's Development Fund executive director of the Mentoring
(AWDF), the first Pan-African grant-making and Empowerment Programme for
organisation. She serves as a UN Women Young Women in Uganda
Nigeria Senior Advisor, and was appointed as (MEMPROW). She has advised NGOs
a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King's
College, University of London in 2017. She is
worldwide on gender, institutional
CEO of Above Whispers Limited, and runs an management and social development,
online community called Abovewhispers.com. and has been an associate professor at
Makerere University.
Ene Obi Kate Henshaw
Ene Obi is an activist and the Country Kate Henshaw Nuttal is an award-win-
Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Ene has ning Nollywood star actress, producer,
worked with local women leaders to politician, and fitness expert.
challenge power relations, increase the She is also a social advocate who is
number of women participating in interested in the welfare of her
decision-making processes and spaces, community. She is the Patron of the
and to end violence against women Little Saints Orphanage – one of the
and girls. oldest orphanage homes in Lagos
State and an ambassador for Action
Aid of Nigeria.You can also read
