Africa is celebrating singers, Sinach and Yemi Alade as they join Linda Ikeji, Okonjo Iweala and 16 other Nigerian women on the list of 100 most influential women in the continent.
The long list of 100 most influential women in Africa is compiled annually by prestigious Ghana based Avance Media through public nomination.
They join the likes of Linda Ikeji, Okonjo Iweala, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija and others who have been on the list before this year’s update.
The list which cuts across 34 countries in the African continent, states that the enlisted women are essentially leaders in various fields of endeavor and role models for the younger generation.
Nigerian women recorded the most representation this year as they topped the list with 20 appearances. South Africa and Ghana made up the top three with 11 and 9 women leaders respectively.
Gospel artiste, Osinachi Joseph popularly known as Sinach, is making it on the list for the first time in the entertainment category.
She was also named among the Top 100 Most Reputable Persons on earth by Reputable Poll in 2019.
“Always grateful to Jesus for all He’s been doing in our Lives,” Sinach said while reacting to the good news.
“A lot has happened this year, but in all, we are still standing. I thank everyone that contributed to this and especially our Fans and followers. You made this happen. Thank you for inspiring us.”
See full list of 100 most influential women in Africa below;
- Agnes Binagwaho (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity
- Agnes Kalibata || CEO, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
- Amanda Mukwashi || CEO, Christian Aid
- Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E Dr.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African
Union - Amel Karboul (Dr.) || CEO, Education Outcomes Fund
- Amina C. Mohamed (Dr.) || Cabinet Secretary, Sports, Culture & Heritage (Kenya)
- Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
- Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Regional Head, IBM Africa
- Angélique Kidjo || Musician
- Anita Erskine || Founder, Anita Erskine Media
- Anna Nimiriano || Editor-in-Chief, Juba Monitor
- Anne-Marie Dias Borges || Presenter, BBC
- Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy MD, IMF
- Arikana Chihombori Quao || Activist
- Aurélie A. Soulé Zoumarou || Minister, Digital Economy and Communications
(Benin) - Ayisha Osori || CEO, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
- Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala || Vice President & CFO, AFDB
- Bella Disu || Vice Chairman, Globacom
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || CEO, soleRebels
- Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi || First Lady, Ekiti State
- Chileshe Kapwepwe (H.E.) || Secretary-General, (COMESA)
- Dorothy Tembo || Ag. Executive Director, International Trade Centre
- Edith Yah Brou || Blogger
- Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena || CEO, Puma Energy Africa
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf || Founder, EJS Center
- Elsie S. Kanza || Head of Africa, World Economic Forum
- Emma Lohoues || Actress
- Emma Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia
- Esther Cobbah || CEO, Stratcomm Ghana
- Fadumo Dayib || Politician
- Faith Osier (Prof) || President, International Union of Immunological Societies
- Fatou Bom Bensouda || Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court
- Fatoumata Bâ || Founder, Janngo
- Françoise Remarck || Chairman, Canal+ Cote D’Ivoire
- Graça Machel || Founder, Graca Machel Trust
- Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor || Minister, International Relations and Cooperation
- Hajer Sharief || Co-Founder, Together We Build it
- Hala Zayed (Dr.) || Minister, Health and Population (Egypt)
- Halima Dangote || Executive Director, Dangote Group
- Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu || CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation
- Ilwad Elman || Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center
- Irene Charnley || Founder, Smile Communications
- Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) || Chancellor, Women’s University in Africa
- Jewel Howard Taylor (H.E) || Vice President, Liberia
- Juliet Ehimuan || Director, Google West Africa
- Kamissa Camara || Secretary-General, Mali Presidency
- Lalla Moulaye Ezzedine || Chairman, Bank of Africa Côte d’Ivoire
- Laureen Kouassi-Olsson || Regional Head, Amethis
- Leila Bouamatou || Managing Director, BANK OF MAURITANIA GENERAL
- Linda Ikeji || CEO, Linda Ikeji Media
- Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary General, Organisation internationale de la
Francophonie - Lucy Quist || Chief Diversity & Inclusion Ocer, Morgan Stanley
- Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee
- Magda Wierzycka || CEO, Sygnia
- Maggie Kigozi || Chairperson, Africa Scout Foundation
- Mamokgethi Phakeng (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town
- Mansa Nettey || CEO, StanChart Ghana
58 Martine Co-Studer || Chairperson Bolloré Transport & Logistics - Massogbè Touré || CEO, SITA S.A
- Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (Dr) || Regional Director for Africa, WHO
- Melene Rossouw || Founder, Women Lead Movement
- Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group
- Monica Geingos (H.E) || First Lady, Republic of Namibia
- Nana Asantewa Afadzinu || Executive Director, WASCI
- Nathalie Akon Gabala || Regional Head, Mastercard Foundation
- Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli || Founder, LEAP Africa
- Ngozi Okonjo Iweala || Board Chair, Gavi Alliance
- Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa || CEO, Bidvest Group
- Olajumoke Adenowo || Founder, AD Consulting
- Oumou Sangaré || Musician
- Owen Omogiafo || CEO, Transcorp Group
- Patricia Obo-Nai || CEO, Vodafone Ghana
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr) || Executive Director, UN Women
- Racheal Njoroge || Managing Director, Cummins
- Rachel Sibande (Dr) || Founder, mHub
- Rasha Kelej (Dr) || CEO, Merck Foundation
- Rawya Mansour || Founder, RAMSCO
- Raychelle Omamo || Minister, Foreign Aairs (Kenya)
- Rita Bissoonauth || Head, AU International Centre for Girls and Women’s
Education - Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) || President, Ethiopia
- Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey || Minister, Foreign Aairs and Regional Integration
(Ghana) - Sinach || Musician
- Sisi Ntombela || Premier, Free State (South Africa)
- Snowy Khoza (Dr) || CEO, Bigen Africa
- Soham El Wardini || Mayor, Dakar
- Sola David-Borha || Group CEO, Standard Bank Africa
- Stella Nyanzi (Dr.) || Convenor, Women’s Protest Uganda
- Sylvia Mulinge || Chief Customer Ocer, Safaricom
- Temie Giwa-Tubosun || Founder, LifeBank
- Toyin Sanni || CEO, Emerging Africa Capital
- Toyin Saraki || Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa
- Uche Pedro || Founder, BELLANAIJA
- Vera Daves De Sousa || Minister, Finance (Angola)
- Vera Songwe (Dr) || Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa - Wala’a Essam Al-Boushi || Minister, Youth and Sport (Sudan)
- Wanjira Mathai || Vice President & Regional Director for Africa, World Resources
Institute - Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS
- Yemi Alade || Musician
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr || Mayor, Freetown
- Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed || Minister, Finance (Nigeria)
News Credit – Avance Media