4 Africans in Forbes List of World’s 100 Most Powerful Women
Africa continues to produce formidable women who are rewriting global narratives — from boardrooms to global institutions and even the prime minister’s office. Four such women were spotlighted on the prestigious 2024 Forbes List of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, underscoring the continent’s growing influence on the global stage.
According to a NewsVista report, these women have not only shattered glass ceilings but also redefined what leadership, resilience, and innovation look like from an African perspective.
Let’s meet the four African trailblazers making waves across the globe.
Judith Suminwa Tuluka – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s First Female Prime Minister
Ranked 77th on the Forbes list, Judith Suminwa Tuluka made history in 2024 when she became the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sworn in under President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, Tuluka’s rise to power comes after years of experience in governance and international development. Before her appointment, she was the country’s Minister of Planning and had served as a coordinator for the UNDP’s Peacebuilding and Democracy initiative.
With a master’s degree in applied economics from Université libre de Bruxelles, Tuluka’s background in finance and global development gives her the tools to steer her country through complex political and economic transitions.
Mpumi Madisa – South Africa’s Trailblazing Corporate Leader
At number 87 on the Forbes list, Mpumi Madisa, the CEO of Bidvest, stands tall as one of Africa’s most influential business figures. Leading a company with over 130,000 employees, Madisa became the first Black woman to head a top-40 company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange when she took the reins in 2020.
Since joining Bidvest in 2003, she has steadily climbed the corporate ladder and now sits on the boards of 16 subsidiary companies. Her leadership style is a blend of corporate acumen, people-centered management, and an unwavering belief in diversity.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – The Global Trade Architect
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 89th globally and third among African women, remains a towering figure in global economics and governance. As Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), she is both the first African and first woman to lead the powerful global trade body.
A two-time Finance Minister of Nigeria and former Managing Director at the World Bank, Okonjo-Iweala brings over 30 years of economic and policy experience to her role. Since assuming office at the WTO in 2021, she has consistently advocated for inclusive trade practices that benefit developing nations.
At 71, her legacy continues to expand, proving that age is no barrier to global leadership.
Mo Abudu – Africa’s Queen of Media
Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu is number 97 on the list — and she’s been changing the storytelling game since launching EbonyLife Media in 2006. Known for elevating African narratives, her media company broadcasts across 49 countries, including regions in Africa, the UK, and the Caribbean.
Abudu, who spent part of her early childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, has made it her life’s mission to spotlight African excellence through film, television, and digital content. Her contributions to the creative economy have not only earned her global recognition but also positioned her as one of Africa’s most influential cultural voices.
These four women exemplify power with purpose — and their presence on the Forbes list is a win for all of Africa.
Their journeys send a clear message: African women are not just participants in global change — they are leading it.