Forbes recently released its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. The publication highlighted how these women successfully navigated a year “marked by setbacks for female employment and advancement opportunities.” Reports confirmed a decline in corporate support for women’s career progression globally compared to just four years ago. However, women across the globe are refusing to slow down.
In Africa, trendsetters continue moving the needle on the continent. For example, Namibia inaugurated its first female president, who immediately began reducing the country’s debt stock. Consequently, several African women made significant impacts in finance, politics, and global policy. Below are six of the Most Powerful African Women 2025 according to Forbes.
1. Mary Vilakazi (South Africa)
Mary Vilakazi heads South Africa’s FirstRand Group. She is a South African business leader and chartered accountant who became one of the country’s most influential financial figures. Vilakazi started her career at PwC, where she quickly became one of the firm’s youngest partners at age 27.
She later held senior positions, including CFO of the Mineral Services Group. She then rose to Deputy CEO at MMI Holdings. Vilakazi joined FirstRand as Group Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Significantly, she made history on April 1, 2024, as the first woman and Black woman to oversee the FirstRand Group in its 185-year existence. FirstRand currently stands as South Africa’s largest financial-services firm by market value. Furthermore, the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals honored her with the prestigious Greg Boyd Award in late 2024 for her leadership and commitment to financial sector transformation.
2. Judith Suminwa Tuluka (DRC)
Judith Suminwa Tuluka is a Congolese politician and economist. In short, she became the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first-ever female Prime Minister in June 2024. Tuluka initially worked in finance. She later joined the United Nations Development Programme, gaining high-level government experience.
The previous administration named her Minister of State and Planning in March 2023. She officially became the country’s first female Prime Minister on April 1, 2024. She was sworn in on June 12, 2024, following legislative ratification.
3. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia)
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is a Namibian politician and diplomat. On March 21, 2025, she became the nation’s first female president. She draws her authority from decades of service in government for the ruling SWAPO party.
Her career includes being a member during the liberation fight. She has held positions ranging from deputy representative overseas to foreign affairs minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Vice President. Specifically, her extensive ministerial career included spells as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (2012–2015) and Minister of Environment and Tourism (2010–2012). She immediately focused her new presidency on debt stock reduction.
4. Mpumi Madisa (South Africa)
Mpumi Madisa began her career at an insurance company. She joined Bidvest in 2003, where she rose rapidly through the ranks. Her roles included client relations manager, corporate affairs director, and general manager for business development.
In March 2019, she was named CEO-designate of Bidvest. This appointment made her the first Black woman to run a top-40 firm listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She formally took the CEO post on October 1, 2020. Under her leadership, Bidvest has developed dramatically. She supervises around 130,000 personnel, guides varied business areas, and restored the organization to profitability following earlier losses.
5. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala remains one of the world’s leading economists and policymakers. She oversaw the World Bank’s successful fundraising campaign in 2010, which resulted in US$49.3 billion in grants and low-interest loans for the world’s poorest countries.
Moreover, she was appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on March 1, 2021. She became the first woman and African to hold the role. Consequently, her leadership has earned her widespread trust. WTO member states overwhelmingly reappointed her for a second term in late 2024. This recognition marks her eighth time on the Forbes Most Powerful Women list.
6. Mo Abudu (Nigeria)
Mo Abudu is a Nigerian media entrepreneur and cultural powerhouse. She is actively reshaping the African narrative with daring visions and global-scale enterprises. As founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media (also known as EbonyLife Group), she supervises a vast media empire. This empire encompasses television, film production, streaming, and lifestyle initiatives.
Mo Abudu’s effect has grown significantly in recent years. In 2025, TIME Magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” She earned this for her revolutionary influence in elevating African tales and inspiring creatives globally. Furthermore, she unveiled major initiatives under EbonyLife, including the Afro Film Fund. This $50 million fund aims to produce African-origin films and series for worldwide audiences. She is also developing EbonyLife Place London, a bold new hub for African cinema, art, and performance.
