Only two Kenyan women have been listed among Africa’s 50 most powerful women for having made notable contributions and challenging the status quo.
South African and Nigerian women dominated the list with 18 and 10 women making the Forbes Africa list respectively.
The overall winner crowned Africa’s most powerful woman is Nigerian entrepreneur Olajumoke Adenewo, the founder of architectural design firm Ad Consulting
Among the top 50 is Echo Network Africa (ENA) Group Chief Executive Jennifer Riria and award-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o.
The women were recognized over the weekend during the Forbes leading women summit 2020 in Durban, South Africa.
Ms Riria who is also a founding member of the Kenya Women Finance Trust has in the past been recognised as a role model for women’s empowerment. In 2013 and 2014, she was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Ms Riria also serves as the chairwoman of Women’s World Banking, a global microfinance network that consists of over 53 micro finance institutions (MFIs) from 30 countries.
Lupita Nyong’o was recognized for er successful career together with her work as an advocate for women’s rights. Ms Nyong’o is also very vocal about sexual harassment.
The list by Forbes Africa celebrates 50 of the most powerful women in Africa. Forbes Woman Africa says that it considered women who are leaders, influential, consistent and have created an impact in Africa.
Forbes Africa notes that the women listed were drawn from various sectors including business, politics, media, science, sports and public life.
Others women who made the list include Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde and Graca Mache -widow of former South African President Nelson Mandela- who is a passionate children and women’s rights activist and founder of social development organisation.
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