15 African Women You Should Know About
From Acting to Accounting.
1.Ory Okolloh (39)-Political Activist/Tech Leader
Kenya
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Ory Okolloh is a mother, wife and political activist who puts her ideas into action. Okolloh is the founder of a platform called Ushahidi, which uses crowd sourcing in conjunction with eyewitness reports to monitor elections and track crisis situations, such as violence and natural disasters. The Ushahidi platform allows bloggers, journalists and even individuals report from the ground via twitter, SMS, and email. Okollah also helped promote transparency and accountability in the government by tracking activities of Kenyan parliamentary representatives. Okolloh was most recently appointed the policy manager for Google Africa.
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Forbes-Africa’s Most Successful Women: Ory Okolloh
2.Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (38)-Author/Activist.
Nigeria
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a young Nigerian author redefining African Literature for the next generation of readers. Those familiar with Beyonce’s acclaimed song ‘Flawless (I Woke Up Like This)’ may recognize Adichie as the featured artist whose TedTalk speech was sampled in the song. She is also the author of three novels, Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Americanah (2013), as well as of a short story collection, The Thing around Your Neck (2009). Adiche’s work has been translated into 30 different languages. Beyond her writings, Adiche is an activate for gender equality throughout Africa.
3.Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu (36)-Social Entrepreneur.
Ethiopia
Ethiopian NativeBethlehem Tilahun Alemu wanted to give back to her community, so in 2005 she started an eco-friendly footwear brand called SoleRebels. SoleRebels provides economically sustainable jobs for Ethiopians while selling a great product to companies like Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods. In 2014, Alemu launched her latest brand called the Republic of Leather.
4.Dambisa Moyo (46)-Economist/Author
Zambia
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Dambisa Moya, a Zambian born economist and New York Times best selling author, started out studying chemistry at the University of Zambia and is now an internationally recognized global and economic affairs expert. Moya is one of the most outspoken and globally recognized advocates for the abolition of foreign aid. She has written threeNew York Times bestselling books: Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa (2009), How the West Was Lost: Fifty Years of Economic Folly — And the Stark Choices that Lie Ahead (2011), and Winner Take All: China’s Race for Resources and What It Means for the World (2012).
Moyo’s TedTalk on China as an Emerging Market
5.Lupito Nyong’o (32)-Actress/Filmmaker
Kenya
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Kenyan Actress and filmmaker Lupito Nyong’o was born in Mexico City, but raised in Kenyan. This year she scored the role of the alien Maz Kanata in the famed Star Wars — the Force Awakens. Nyong’o started her career as a production assistant in Hollywood, finally making her film debut as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave. Look for Nyong’o in the new Jungle Book out this year.
6.Yasmin Belo-Osagie (28) & Afua Osei (26)-Entrepreneurs/Visionaries/Activists
Nigeria
This young dynamic duo has created a platform to inspire and empower women in Africa. In 2014, the Nigerian born pair, Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei, started She Leads Africa as a way for the female movers and shakers on the continent to share their entrepreneurial experiences. She Leads Africa gives African female leaders a way to interact and collaborate, but it is also meant to inspire the next generation of women in Africa.
Read More:
CNBC Two Young Women Creating Africa’s Next Billionaires
7.Zahara (27)-Singer-Song Writer
South Africa.
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Zahara is the stage name for the famous South African singer-songwriter, Bulelwa Mkutukana. Zahara has won 8 South African Music Awards including “Best Female Artist” and “Album of the Year” with her debut album in 2011. Her most recent album, titled “Country Girl”, was released last year and continues to set records.
8.Obiageli Ezekwesili (52)-Accountant/Activist
Nigeria
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Obiageli Ezekwesili was the co-founder and leader of the Bring Back Our Girls movement during the 2014 Boko Haram kidnappings of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls. Ezekwesili, a Nigerian accountant by trade, went on to fund Transparency International, an NGO monitoring and publicizing political corruption in international development. During President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term as the President of Nigeria, Ezekwesili served as his Minister of Solid Minerals, as well as Minister of Education. Ezekwesili went on to serve as the World Bank Vice President for 5 years.
9.Mosunmola Abudu (51)-Philanthropist/ Talk Show Host
Nigeria.
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Philanthropist and talk show host Mosunmola Abudu, or Mo Abudu, is best known as the host of Moments with Mo, thought of as Africa’s version of Oprah. Abudu hails from Nigeria and is the founder of a black-African entertainment network called EbonyLife TV. Abudu’s impact reaches far beyond the television screen, serving as an inspirational figure and philanthropist.
Read more:
The Independent-Meet Africa’s Oprah
10.Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (64)-Education Activist
Ghana.
Opoku-Agyemang was appointed in 2013 as the Minister of Education in Ghana, no small job when tasked with educating the next generation of Ghana’s leaders. Opoku-Agyemang could help to reshape the way the continent approaches education with primary school reform, workforce preparation, and a new means of instruction that is more relevant for African students.
YouTube: Opoku-Agyemany on Education in Africa
11.Isis Nyong’o (38)-Tech Guru
Kenya
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Isis Nyong’o is a Kenyan-American tech and media leader on the continent. Nyong’o made her mark as vice president of InMobi, a mobile advertising company, as well as the former business development manager for Google’s operations in Africa. Isis quickly became recognized as a global thought leader on mobile advertising in Africa.
Read more:
Forbes-Africa’s Most Successful Women
12.Nicole Amarteifio, Millie Monyo, and the cast of An African City.
Ghana
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The YouTube sensation An African City was created by Nicole Amarteifio and Millie Monyo in 2014. The show follows the lives of five women that return to Ghana looking for answers. The show highlights the challenges that they face in their country as they pursue their careers and look for love. Watch for new episodes in January.
13.Khanyi Dhlomo (41)-Media Mogul
South Africa
Khanyi Dhlomo is a South African media mogul. Dhlomo is a TV Host as well as the founder and CEO of Ndalo Media, which publishes lifestyle and business magazines for men and women.
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