The African Women Leadership Conference (AWLC) has officially announced the honourees for the 50 Most Influential African Women Awards 2025, recognising outstanding women whose leadership and impact continue to shape Africa and the global community.
The announcement comes ahead of the African Women Leadership Conference, scheduled to take place on April 24, 2026, at the Freetown International Conference Centre, followed by the Grand Awards Ceremony on April 25, 2026, at the Country Lodge Hotel in Sierra Leone.
Organisers said the awards form part of a year-long leadership engagement process that combines dialogue, visibility, networking and final recognition of women making a difference across the continent.
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Announcement the 50 Most Influential African Women Awards Honorees
The Organizing Committee of the African Women Leadership Conference (AWLC) and the 50 Most Influential African Women Awards is pleased to officially announce the list of distinguished honorees for the 50 Most Influential African Women Awards, a Pan-African recognition celebrating exceptional women whose leadership and impact continue to shape Africa and the world.
The announcement coincides with preparations for the African Women Leadership Conference, scheduled to take place on 24 April 2026 at Freetown International Conference Center, followed by the Grand Awards Ceremony on 25 April 2026 at Country Lodge Hotel in Sierra Leone. The year-long cycle reflects a strategic leadership engagement process conference, dialogue, visibility, and culminating recognition.
The Awards celebrate women of excellence across politics, governance, education, health, finance, agriculture, peace and security, media, culture, advocacy, and women’s empowerment.
2025 Award Recipients Announced
Politics, Leadership and Governance
1. H.E. Amina J. Mohammed – Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations (Nigeria)
2. H.E. Fatima Maada Bio – First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone & President, OFLAD (Sierra Leone)
3. Winnie Byanyima – Executive Director, UNAIDS (Uganda)
4. H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde – Former President of Ethiopia (Ethiopia)
5. H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang – Vice President of Ghana (Ghana)
6. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Director-General, World Trade Organization (Nigeria)
7. H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Former President of Liberia (Liberia)
8. H.E. Joyce Banda – Former President of Malawi (Malawi)
9. H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan – President of the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania)
10. H.E. Jewel Howard Taylor – Former Vice President of Liberia (Liberia)
11. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey – Secretary-General, Commonwealth (Ghana)
12. H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – President of the Republic of Namibia (Namibia)
13. Hon. Mabinty Funnah – Member of Parliament (Sierra Leone)
14. Madam Musayeroh Barrie – Director General, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA)
15. Dr. Abla El Hawary – Member, Egyptian House of Representatives (Egypt)
16. Hadja Makalé Camara – Presidential Aspirant (Guinea)
17. Dr. Sylvia Blyden – Former Minister of Gender & Children’s Affairs (Sierra Leone)
18. Haja Isatu Bah Kamara – Southern Region Chairperson, APC (Sierra Leone)
19. Mrs. Jeneba Kpaka Bangura – Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority (Sierra Leone)
20. Hon. Nabeela Tunis – Minister of Tourism (Sierra Leone)
21. Mrs. Fatmata Mida Carew – General Manager, National Tourist Board (Sierra Leone)
Education, Health and Human Services
22. Dr. Ola Orekunrin – Founder, Flying Doctors (Nigeria)
23. Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng – Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town (South Africa)
24. Mrs. Olive Baimba – CEO, Olive B Academy (Sierra Leone)
Election, Law, Peace and Security
25. Hawa Sally Samai – Executive Secretary, Independent Commission for Peace & National Cohesion (Sierra Leone)
26. Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Geraldine Janet George – Minister of Defense (Liberia)
27. Mrs. Jean Mensa – Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Ghana (Ghana)
28. Judge Miatta Maria Samba – Judge, International Criminal Court (Sierra Leone)
29. Captain Yainkain Ballay Kamara – Security & Peace Advocate
Banking, Finance & Technology
30. Mizinga Melu – CEO, Absa Bank Zambia (Zambia)
31. Nezha Hayat – Director General, Mohammed VI Investment Fund (Morocco)
32. Folorunsho Alakija – Entrepreneur (Nigeria)
33. Rebecca Enonchong – Founder & CEO, AppsTech (Cameroon)
34. Madam Naasu Fofanah – CEO, Women Green Bank Initiative (Sierra Leone)
Agriculture
35. Madam Marie Momoh – Farmer (Sierra Leone)
36. Mathildah Amollo – Founder & CEO, Greatlakes Feeds Ltd (Kenya)
37. Julienne Olawolé Agossadou – Founder & CEO, SEDAMI – La Reine des Champignons (Benin)
38. Agi Kumba Daffe – CEO, Tresor Group (The Gambia)
Pan-African First Ladies of Impact
39. H.E. Auxillia Mnangagwa – First Lady of Zimbabwe
40. H.E. Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow – First Lady of The Gambia
41. H.E. Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso – First Lady of the Republic of Congo
42. H.E. Marie Khone Faye – First Lady of Senegal
Media, Communications, Sports, Music & Literature
43. Beatrice Agyemang – CEO, Media General Ghana Ltd (Ghana)
44. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Author (Nigeria)
45. Khadijah Tambajang – Publisher & Media Entrepreneur (The Gambia)
46. Tiwatope Savage (Tiwa Savage) – Musician (Nigeria)
Advocacy, Girls & Women Empowerment
47. H.E. Samira Bawumia – Founder & CEO, SEHP (Ghana)
48. Fatu Camara- CEO Fatu Network
49. Sally Adams – President, Women’s Forum Sierra Leone
50. Awamary Lowe-Khan – CEO, The Woman Boss (The Gambia)
The African Women Leadership Conference (24 April 2026) will convene women leaders, policymakers, development partners, and private-sector actors to engage on women’s leadership, governance, health, financing and investment, peace, and inclusive growth.
The Grand Awards Ceremony (25 April 2026) will formally honor the 50 awardees in a high-profile Pan-African celebration of women’s excellence and impact.
For Media Enquiries, Partnerships & Accreditation:
African Women Leadership Conference &
50 Most Influential African Women Awards Secretariat
Email:mostinfluentialwomenaward@gmail.com
+23279787464
