In March, which is International Women’s Month, the ELOY Awards Foundation and Africa Women CEOs Network are recognizing and celebrating 50 extraordinary individuals who are leading the way in promoting women empowerment and inclusion throughout Africa.
These exceptional individuals, both women and men, hail from diverse fields and embody leadership, resilience, and significant impact in advancing gender equality. Their unwavering dedication to diversity, advocacy, and using their influence to propel women forward is truly inspiring. Through their initiatives, partnerships, mentorship, public engagement, and advocacy efforts, they amplify women’s voices and foster inclusivity across all sectors.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 50 Power People of 2024. They serve as shining examples that change is possible and inspire us all. In no particular order, they are:
TOKUNBO CHIEDU (NIGERIA)
CEO Compass Global Founder Female Leaders & Entrepreneurs Conference & Network, West meets East Africa Initiative with 27 years experience of in developing and managing public-private partnerships, with particular expertise in setting up joint working arrangements between sectors.
Dr. TEWA ONASANYA (NIGERIA)
A women empowerment advocate is a British-Nigerian Publisher, Mindset Stylist, Philanthropist and Author. She is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Exquisite Magazine, a fashion, wellness and lifestyle magazine for the unlimited confident woman. She is also the of the ELOY Awards Foundation whose aim is to sustain women’s empowerment by providing access to entrepreneurial training, grants, information on affordable loans, networking opportunities and mentoring. The ELOY Awards has been celebrating women in different sectors since 2009. Dr. Tewa is also the founder of the EMAC Foundation for cervical cancer prevention.
CHARLES ODII (NIGERIA)
Charles Odii is a highly respected entrepreneur and advocate for small businesses. He describes himself as someone on a mission to empower entrepreneurs and startups in Africa to create jobs, drive economic growth, and build a better future for all. He is the Director General/CEO Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria
ABOSEDE GEORGE OGAN (NIGERIA)
Abosede George-Ogan, Founder, of Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) is a tri-sector leader with over 20 years’ experience working across the non-profit, private, and public sectors as a development professional.
IBIJOKE FABORODE (NIGERIA)
Ibijoke is a Co-founder and Executive Director of ElectHER- a non-partisan Pan-African political organization, where she drives the vision to bridge inequality gaps in African democracy by Engaging critical stakeholders, Encouraging women to Decide, Equipping them to Run and Enabling them to Win elections.
IFE DUROSINMI ETTI (NIGERIA)
Ife Durosinmi Etti is a sales, marketing and sustainability expert. She is the founder of Herconomy, a fintech company that empowers women by giving out business grants, fellowships and scholarships to them.
BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU (NIGERIA)
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is a Nigerian politician who has served as the Governor of Lagos State since 2019. The Lagos State cabinet has 32% female representation, he is a gender advocate. Lagos State founded the EKO Women 100 Initiative. This annual celebration of EKO women recognizes the invaluable sacrifices and contributions of women to the development and dream of Lagos as the centre of excellence.
FOLAWE OMIKUNLE (NIGERIA)
Folawe Omikunle is the Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a movement of leaders who will eliminate inequity in education.
NGONE DIOP(Senegal)
Ngone DIOP is an Economist; Policy development Expert; Gender and Economics Expert with over 20 years of experience and track records in results-based policy formulation and advice on poverty reduction, inclusive development, gender equality and the empowerment of women; and demographic dividend. Director of Sub-Regional Office for West Africa at UNECA.
DUPE OLUSOLA (NIGERIA)
Modupe Olusola is a Nigerian business executive. First and only female MD/CEO of a N1Trn company in Nigeria, she has promoted an inclusive workforce, with more than 50% of her executive management team being women. She also supports the empowerment of young ladies with sewing and business skills through the Business Empowerment Programme for Women (BEPW) initiative. She has been very inspirational in leading the Transcorp Hotels PLC group while fostering an inclusive environment. Recognized as a leader in a male-dominated industry. Also the first female CEO of a SWOOT (stocks worth over One Trillion) company in Nigeria and an award-winning CEO and transformation specialist.
JACQUELINE OMOTALADE (NIGERIA)
Jacquelyn Omosunbo Omotalade is an accomplished government affairs and public policy leader. As the Climate Investments National Director, she plays a pivotal role in driving Green For All’s Justice40 agenda. Jacquelyn Omotalade and Dream.Org exemplify a strong commitment to advancing gender inclusion, gender equality, and empowering women in sustainability efforts. Specifically, initiatives led by Jacquelyn have ensured that women, particularly those from marginalized communities, have equal access to opportunities within the green economy. For example, through the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, efforts have been made to prioritize contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment and gender equality. Additionally, Jacquelyn’s leadership has promoted mentorship and professional development programs tailored to women, creating pathways for their advancement in traditionally male-dominated fields. These initiatives showcase a holistic approach to sustainability, one that prioritizes gender inclusion and empowerment as integral components of a thriving green economy.
OLUCHI ENEBELI (NIGERIA)
Oluchi Enebeli is Nigeria’s 1st Female Blockchain Engineer and Top 10 Women in Web3 Changemakers by Near and Forkast, currently working across multiple fields in the Blockchain space, her work cuts across Engineering, Product, and Management.
ADENIKE OYETUNDE LAWAL (NIGERIA)
Adenike Dasola Oyetunde-Lawal, professionally known as Adenike Oyetunde is a Nigerian media personality, radio host, author, lawyer, social media influencer and life coach. She is the founder of Amputees United Initiative and The Gratitude Hub. In 2021, she was appointed by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the senior special assistant on persons living with disability.
Dr. ALLEN ONYEMA (NIGERIA)
Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema CON is a Nigerian lawyer and entrepreneur. He is the chief executive officer of Air Peace, which he established in 2013 with about 49% workforce being women.
KEMI DASILVA-IBRU (NIGERIA)
Kemi Dasilva Ibru is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and a Public Health Specialist. She is the founder of the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) based in Lagos, Nigeria. In this role, Kemi tackles the issues of rape and sexual violence through different initiatives implemented across Nigeria.
ORE BOBOYE (NIGERIA)
Ore Boboye is a Chief Executive Officer at Jobberman Nigeria. Ore champions gender equality in his workspace, particularly jobberman recruitment.
PIERETTE KENGELA (DR CONGO)
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and health rights. With over 18 years of technical and leadership experience in the public health, humanitarian, and international development sectors. She is the Founder of J4A Public Health Consulting and the JOY4ALL NPC.
CANDIDE LEGUEDE (TOGO)
CEO of INNOV’UP, the Entrepreneurial Center for Businesswomen in Togo with an incubator for women-led start-ups. Financed by UNDP, Leguede established INNOV’UP to promote women’s entrepreneurship but also to facilitate the transition of women-led businesses from the informal to the formal sector.
BARR.MISPA AWASUM FRI (CAMEROON)
Is a Cameroonian politician and lawyer. She is the president of the Women of the MRC-The Cameroon Renaissance Movement. She advocates for more opportunities for women in Cameroon and Africa, advancing women’s empowerment programs.
JANICE KIMARO (TANZANIA)
Regional Co-Ordinator East Africa Women in Business platform (EAWIBP), with a demonstrated history of public speaking, project management, human resources and performance management. an organisation providing support and advocacy for Women. The East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) is a forum that brings together business women from across the East African Community (EAC). Its membership and Steering Committee comprises; national apex bodies/ associations/ networks of business-women (including associations of women formal and informal cross-border traders); professional women associations; and civil society organisations working to promote business-women and women’s socio-economic advancement.
EMMALINE DATEY (GHANA)
CEO, Seeds of Fortune Inc. is the largest Edtech and Scholars program creating the next generation of financially empowered young women through education, money, and career opportunities.
BISI ADELEYE FAYEMI (NIGERIA)
Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is a Nigerian-British feminist activist, writer and policy advocate. She was the first lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria. In 2001, she co-founded the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the first Pan-African grant-making organisation. She serves as a UN Women Nigeria Senior Advisor. She is the CEO of Above Whispers Limited and runs an online community called Abovewhispers.com.
DOTUN AKANDE (NIGERIA)
The founder and Director of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre, a centre for autism awareness. After facing one of the biggest challenges of her life when her son was diagnosed with autism, she decided to turn it into something positive.
CHIPO FAITH ZIREVA (ZIMBABWE)
Chipo Faith Zireva is the founder of the Mambakwedza Trust, an organisation that focuses on positive mindset and skillset development in marginalised groups of women and children. The main area of focus is on orphans and vulnerable women in society.
They have done various activities to achieve this goal in Gweru, Zimbabwe. They provide training such as Detergent training, and making sweet and savoury pastries, so that the children’s homes can sustain themselves through production for resale or cost-saving initiative.
ADESUWA OKUNBO-RHODES (NIGERIA)
Adesuwa is an entrepreneur, CEO, mother, investor and women’s empowerment advocate. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management, one of the few women-owned and led private equity funds in Africa.
WEYINMI ERIBO (NIGERIA)
Weyinmi Eribo is a trained geologist, Certified lead auditor, advocate for women’s economic inclusion and a development expert with a dedicated focus on advancing women’s economic empowerment. She is the Director General at Nigeria’s Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture.
NABOU FALL (SENEGAL/IVORY COAST)
Nabou Fall is an ICF Coach, Certified Emotional Intelligence and Disc Practitioner and Certified Personal Branding Strategist. She launched Nabou Fall Akademy, An academy of training and coaching in leadership and transformational communication for impact building for women and young entrepreneurs.
TOYIN F SANNI (NIGERIA)
Toyin Sanni is the Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Africa Capital. She was the founder and chairperson of Women in Finance ng (WIFng), a not-for-profit organisation focused on advocacy for Nigerian women in the finance sector.
NKEM OKOCHA (NIGERIA)
Nkem Okocha is a social entrepreneur and activist, she founded Mamamoni, a Fintech social enterprise that provides poor rural and urban slum women with free vocational skills and mobile loans. Since 2013, she has impacted and empowered over 4,000 women in several rural/urban slum communities and given out over 100 micro-loans.
IRENE OCHEM (NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA)
Irene Ochem is the Founder & CEO of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), an award-winning, pan-African organisation dedicated to fostering women’s economic inclusion and empowerment through entrepreneurship support and development.
Dr NAIKE MOSHI (KENYA)
The Country Director of CVPeople Tanzania and Founder & CEO of Women in Management Africa (WIMA). She founded WIMA which is aimed at improving gender balance and diversity on boards and in leadership roles in line with the international benchmark for sustainable business practices.
CHEBET LESAN (KENYA)
The founder of Bright Green Energy, an energy innovation company known for its sustainable biomass briquettes that replace charcoal and firewood use. Bright Green Renewable Energy is a women-led social enterprise whose mission is to provide affordable clean safe and eco-friendly charcoal briquettes for low-income earning households in Kenya. They have been able to design and develop a distribution network of women who help to improve accessibility and adoption of the product through engaging women as outreach ambassadors and distributors to low-income communities.
SANDA OJIAMBO (KENYA)
An advocate for Responsible and Sustainable Business. She is the Assistant Secretary General, CEO and Executive Director of UN Global Impact.
ROSALIND KAINYAH (GHANA)
Rosalind is a Lawyer, Sustainability Advisor and Ambassador for African businesses and a speaker on the role that business leaders play in driving a corporate sustainability agenda. Rosalind has over 30 years of international, legal, operational, executive and board experience in a variety of sectors, including energy, oil & gas, mining, infrastructure, private equity, financial services and manufacturing.
LOIS AUTA (NIGERIA)
Lois is the founder and chief executive officer at the Cedar Seed Foundation, an organization that promotes the participation of women with disabilities in human rights-based development in Nigeria. She focuses on inclusive legislation for people with disabilities.
FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA (NIGERIA)
A Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group and the executive vice chairman of Famfa Oil Limited. Alakija established the Rose of Sharon Foundation which helps widows and orphans through scholarships and business grants. In her bid to empower women from all walks of life, she founded Flourish Africa a platform conceived to create a community of like-minded women who share their individual experiences encourage one another to achieve their potential and provide seed grants to female entrepreneurs.
JANADE DU PLESSIS (SOUTH AFRICA)
Janade is an entrepreneur, investment banker, venture capitalist and human behavioural researcher with 18 years of investment bank, general management and development finance experience. He is also the co-founder of a business advisory platform focused on supporting African female entrepreneurs to make their businesses investment-ready. He is an Executive Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), currently mentoring select entrepreneurs.
SEGUN ALIMI (NIGERIA)
Technical Advisor GIZ. He is a great example of a He for She and consistently creates opportunities for women to excel in his industry while strongly supporting women to advance gender inclusion and equality.
EFE UKALA (NIGERIA)
Efe Ukala is a lawyer and the founder of impactHer, an impact-driven organisation that focuses on bridging the financing gap for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.
BUKKY SHONIBARE (NIGERIA)
Adebukola (Bukky) Shonibare is the Executive Director of Invictus Africa, a social enterprise that promotes human rights and addresses gender inequality through data-driven and evidence-based advocacy, legal and policy review, and capacity development.
JOSEPHINE EFFAH-CHUKWUMA (NIGERIA)
A Nigerian development specialist and advocate against domestic violence who founded Sophia’s Place, the first battered women’s shelter in Nigeria. She is the Founder and Executive director of Project Alert which provides medical assistance to injured female victims through public fund sourcing and also provides legal services to victims
GWENDOLINE ABUNAW (CAMEROON)
Gwendoline Abunaw is the Managing Director of Ecobank Cameroon, a subsidiary of the leading Pan-African banking group present in 35 countries on the Continent. In 2022 She became the first female president of the Cameroonian Banking and Financial Institutions Association (APECCAM) the main entity representing all the banks and financial institutions in Cameroon. She is also a frequent speaker at conferences covering a range of topics from women in leadership slash empowerment innovation slash digital transformation in the financial sector as well as youth motivation and technology.
JENNIFER AWIRIGWE (NIGERIA)
Financial Jennifer is a personal finance expert, investment banker, and the founder of Fintribe, Nigeria’s first and largest women-only finance community. With over 20,000 women trained in personal finance and thousands guided on their investment journeys, she is known as The Women Money Cheerleader
Dr. JAYNE OBIOMA ONWUMERE (NIGERIA)
Dr. Jayne Obioma Onwumere is a high-end realtor, an ingenious network marketer, and a top businesswoman. She is a co-founder and president of PWAN HOMES, leading the pack of the first Real Estate Network Marketing company in the world from the front.
SOLA ADESAKIN (NIGERIA)
Sola Adesakin is a seasoned finance coach and chartered accountant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades. She is the driving force behind Smart Stewards Advisory Limited. Sola is a strong supporter of SDG5 and SDG10 is dedicated to achieving gender equality and reducing inequality. Sola is a well-known author who has written eight books.
MUKWANDI CHIBESAKUNDA (ZAMBIA)
A Zambian accountant and bank Executive. She currently serves as chief executive officer of Zambia’s largest bank, ZANACO Bank PLC. She is the first female to hold the position. In 2022, she won the African Female Leader of the Year.
OULIMATA SARR (SENEGAL)
She served as Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of Senegal from September 2022 to October 2023. From 2019 to 2022, she served as Regional Director for UN Women, the United Nations entity mandated for gender equality and empowerment of women, in 24 countries in West and Central Africa.
Dr DENIS MUKWEGE (DR CONGO)
A Congolese gynaecologist. He founded and works at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where he specializes in the treatment of women who have been raped by armed rebels. In 2018, Mukwege and Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”. Mukwege has treated thousands of women who were victims of rape as a weapon of war since the Second Congo War.
HE ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF (LIBERIA)
she is a Liberian politician and economist who was President of Liberia (2006–2018). Founder and Chair of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center For Women and Development. She is a leading promoter of freedom, peace justice, women’s empowerment and democratic rule. She was the first woman to be elected head of state of an established Truth and Reconciliation Committee to probe corruption and heal ethnic tensions.
GRACA MACHEL (MOZAMBIQUE)
Graça Machel is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. Machel is an international advocate for women’s and children’s rights. She founded the Graca Machel Trust where she supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, and ending female genital mutilation. She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries, South Africa and Mozambique.
