Vice President H.E. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has been ranked among the 2025 100 Most Influential African Women by Avance Media.
The annual ranking recognises African women whose leadership, influence, and accomplishments continue to shape decision-making at the highest levels locally and internationally.
Other Ghanaians on the list include: H.E. Amma Twum-Amoah, Major General Anita Asmah, H.E. Anita Kiki Gbeho, H.E. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, H.E. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Adelaide Siaw Agyepong.
The ranking, which is also in its seventh (7th) year, highlights women who have risen through corporate leadership, founded impactful institutions, influenced policy, and set global standards across governance, diplomacy, business, media, climate change, civil society, philanthropy, sports, and the creative industries.
The 2025 publication features influential women drawn from 32 African countries, reflecting the depth and diversity of female leadership across the continent. Nigeria emerged as the most represented country on the list with 20 women, followed by South Africa (8), Ghana (8), Kenya (8), Zimbabwe (6) and Egypt (5), making up the top countries with the highest number of featured women. Collectively, these countries account for a significant proportion of Africa’s female leaders operating at national, regional, and global levels.
A strong political presence defines this year’s ranking, with two sitting Presidents and one former President featured. They include H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, H.E. Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, and H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia. The list also recognises eight Vice Presidents, among them H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang of Ghana, H.E. Jessica Alupo of Uganda, H.E. Esperança da Costa of Angola, H.E. Mariam Chabi Talata of Benin, H.E. Mutale Nalumango of Zambia, and H.E. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior of South Sudan, underscoring the growing role of women in executive political leadership across Africa.
Global governance and multilateral institutions feature prominently in the ranking, with several women holding senior leadership positions at the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, the African Development Bank Group, the World Trade Organisation, and other international bodies. Notable figures include H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Regional Director for Africa; Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation; and H.E. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Africa.
Beyond governance and diplomacy, corporate leadership is represented by women such as Dr. Owen Omogiafo, Folorunso Alakija, Mpumi Madisa and Delphine Traoré Maidou, while media influence is reflected through global journalists including Nima Elbagir, Anne Soy, and Salma Abdelaziz. In arts, entertainment, and sports, the list features internationally celebrated figures such as Angélique Kidjo, Tems, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Tyla, and Olympic champion-turned-IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
Civil society, climate advocacy, and philanthropy remain key pillars of influence within the ranking. Women such as Dr. Rasha Kelej, Graça Machel, Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Jaha Dukureh, and Zouera Youssoufou are recognised for their sustained commitment to social justice, development financing, gender advocacy, and community transformation across Africa.
According to Avance Media, selection into the 100 Most Influential African Women ranking is based on excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, commitment to sharing knowledge, the ability to break the status quo, and demonstrable impact as accomplished African women operating at national, continental, and global levels.
Commenting on the release, Prince Akpah, Managing Director of Avance Media, said the ranking is part of the organisation’s broader mission to reshape Africa’s global narrative. “These women are not only breaking barriers; they are redefining power, leadership, and influence across Africa and the world. This publication documents their impact while inspiring the next generation of African women leaders to pursue excellence without limits,” he said.
The 100 Most Influential African Women ranking serves as both a celebration of achievement and a record of contemporary African leadership, reaffirming the critical role women continue to play in shaping Africa’s future and its engagement with the global community.
Below is Avance Media’s 2025 100 Most Influential African Women, arranged in alphabetical order:
- Adelaide Siaw Agyepong || CEO, African Agribusiness Consortium
- Ahunna Eziakonwa (H.E.) || Regional Director for Africa, UNDP
- Amina J. Mohammed (H.E.) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
- Amma Twum-Amoah (H.E.) || Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS), African Union
- Angeline Murimirwa || CEO, CAMFED
- Angélique Kidjo || Singer & Songwriter
- Anita Asmah (Major-General) || Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNDOF United Nations
- Anita Kiki Gbeho (H.E.) || Deputy Special Representative in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan
- Anna Mutavati (H.E.) || Regional Director (East and Southern Africa), UN Women
- Anne Soy || Journalist & OAP, BBC
- Ayisha Osori || CEO, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
- Ayra Starr || Singer & Songwriter
- Beatrice Chebet || Athlete
- Bimbo Ademoye || Actresss & Filmmaker
- Bintou Keita (H.E.) || Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC, United Nations
- Bogolo Kenewendo || Minister of Minerals & Energy, Botswana
- Boitumelo Mosako || CEO, Development Bank of Southern Africa
- Claire Mawisa || Journalist & OAP, DSTV
- Clare Akamanzi || CEO, NBA Africa
- Clementine Nkweta-Salami || Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, United Nations
- Damtien L. Tchintchibidja (H.E) || Vice-President, ECOWAS Commission
- Delphine Traoré Maidou || CEO, Allianz Africa
- Diene Keita (H.E.) || Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Edith Kimani || Journalist & OAP, DW
- Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (H.E) || Deputy Executive Director, UNEP
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E.) || Former President, Republic of Liberia
- Esperança da Costa (H.E.) || Vice-President, Angola
- Fatima Maada Bio (H.E.) || First Lady, Sierra Leone
- Fatou Jeng || Founder, Clean Earth Gambia
- Fatou Sow Sarr (Prof) || Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, ECOWAS
- Folly Bah Thibault || Journalist & OAP, Al Jazeera
- Folorunso Alakija || GMD, Rose of Sharon Group
- Funke Akindele || Actress & Filmmaker
- Ghizlane Chebbak || Footballer, Al Hilal SFC and the Morocco Women’s National Team
- Graça Machel || Founder, Graça Machel Trust
- Hanan Morsy || Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Hanna Serwaa Tetteh (H.E.) || Special Representative, USG & Head of UNSMIL (Libya), United Nations
- Hannan Sulieman (H.E.) || Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF
- Hassatou Diop N’Sele || Vice President, Finance & CFO, African Development Bank Group
- Hend Sabry || Actress
- Ireti Samuel-Ogbu || Board Chair, Africa Finance Corporation
- Jaha Dukureh || Founder, Safe Hands for Girls
- Jane Naana Opoku‑Agyemang (H.E.) || Vice President, Ghana
- Jessica Alupo (H.E.) || Vice President, Uganda
- Joyce Cleopa Msuya Mpanju (H.E.) || Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations
- Judith Suminwa Tuluka || Prime Minister, DRC
- Julia Sebutinde || Vice President, International Court of Justice
- Julie Gichuru (Dr.) || Founder, Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)
- Kanayo Awani || Executive Vice President, Afreximbank
- Kirsty Coventry || President, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- Leila Benali || Minister of Energy Transition & Sustainable Development, Morocco
- Lerato Dorothy Mataboge (H.E.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union
- Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E.) || Vice President, Republic of Benin
- Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre (H.E.) || CEO, African Peer Review Mechanism
- Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee (H.E.) || Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Africa, United Nations
- Mary-Jean Moyo || Chief of Staff, International Finance Corporation
- Mo Abudu || CEO, Ebonylife Group
- Mosun Layode || Executive Director, African Philanthropy Forum
- Mpumi Madisa || CEO, Bidvest Group
- Mutale Nalumango (H.E.) || Vice President, Zambia
- Nardos Bekele-Thomas (H.E.) || CEO, AUDA- NEPAD
- Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (H.E.) || President, Republic of Namibia
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Dr.) || Director General, World Trade Organisation
- Nima Elbagir || Chief International Investigative Correspondent, CNN
- Nnenna Lily Nwabufo || Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, African Development Bank Group
- Nomsa Philiso || Director, Content General Entertainment, Canal+ Africa
- Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda || Deputy Executive Director, UN Women
- Oluwatoyin Sanni (Dr.) || CEO, Emerging Africa Group
- Omoni Oboli || Actress & Filmmaker
- Oulie Keita (Dr.) || Executive Director, Greenpeace Africa
- Owen Omogiafo (Dr.) || Group CEO, Transcorp
- Phoebe N. Okowa || Judge, International Court of Justice
- Priscillah Mabelane || Executive Vice President, Sasol
- Rasha Kelej (Dr.) || CEO, Merck Foundation
- Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior (H.E.) || Vice President, South Sudan
- Rica Rwigamba || Country Director, Ghana Programs, Mastercard Foundation
- Rose Mwebaza (H.E.) || Regional Director for Africa, UNEP
- Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila || Speaker, National Assembly of Namibia
- Salma Abdelaziz || OAP & Correspondent, CNN
- Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E.) || President, United Republic of Tanzania
- Sanda Ojiambo (H.E.) || Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Global Compact
- Selma Malika Haddadi (H.E) || Deputy Chairperson, African Union
- Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey (Hon) || Secretary-General, Commonwealth
- Somachi Chris-Asoluka || CEO, The Tony Elumelu Foundation
- Souad Abderrahim || Mayor, Municipality of Tunis
- Taaka Awori || CEO, Busara Africa
- Tems || Singer & Songwriter
- Tiwa Savage || Singer & Songwriter
- Tsitsi Masiyiwa || Co-founder, Higherlife Foundation
- Tyla || Singer & Songwriter
- Valentine Rugwabiza (H.E.) || Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, United Nations
- Vera Daves de Sousa || Minister of Finance, Angola
- Vera Songwe (Dr.) || Chair & Founder, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility
- Veronica Mueni Nduva (H.E.) || Secretary General, East African Community (EAC)
- Winnie Byanyima (H.E.) || Executive Director, UNAIDS
- Yasmine Fouad (H.E.) || Under‑Secretary‑General & Executive Secretary, UNCCD
- Yasmine Sabri || Actress
- Zainab Hawa Bangura (H.E.) || Director General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
- Zanele Muholi || Activist
- Zouera Youssoufou || CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation
Source: Precious Agbonuglah