Africa's top three most powerful women 2016

The African society is one that is fierce when it to the race for the top spots in all fields. For women the challenge becomes doubled, as they have to break extra barriers before they can rise through the ranks and file.

Most powerful women in Africa
This year 2016, some African women have proven beyond a doubt that women in this part of the world can rise beyond the themes which for too has seen them relegated to the background.
Of all women from Africa, three made it to the Forbes’ list of 100 most powerful women in the world.

According to Forbes this list that gives the smartest and toughest female business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, philanthropists and CEOs making their mark in the world today.


Below are the three most influential and powerful women in the African continent today.


3. President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
At third place is Mauritius’ President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim who made it narrowly to the list at number 96.
Before she was pulled to politics in 2015, the 56 year old President was immersed in her Research center that was compiling a database of the plants on the Island nation and promoting the importance of biodiversity to an international audience. She became the Island’s President after she was selected as a presidential candidate by the major political party. She has used her power to bring her concerns as scientist to a larger audience.

“She (Ameenah) is working to advance awareness of global warming and to promote new investments in science and technology in Mauritius and greater Africa. She’s already making strides on both fronts, including partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to pilot 10 PhD research grants on the island, with plans expand the program to as many as 10,000 other scientists across Africa in the future.” Said Forbes


2. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
In second place is Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who comes in 83rd on the global list.

The 77 year old formidable leadership in rebuilding Liberia post-civil war and amidst crippling debts landed her on the list and was as well recognized for her efforts by the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ms Johnson Sirleaf has been able to negotiate settlements, rebuild infrastructure, lift sanctions and rebuild women‘s rights.

“She (Sirleaf) came under fire for cronyism and corruption, and during the devastating Ebola outbreak of 2014, her decision to use troops to quarantine the heavily infected and poor West Point neighborhood was widely criticized. Despite this, she receives credit for some parts of her leadership, including her final presidential act: Stepping aside to let the country’s democratic process choose its next leader.” Says Forbes


1. Folorunsho Alakija
From Africa’s largest country comes the most powerful woman in the continent. She (Folorunsho Alakija) ranks number 80 in the world’s 100 most powerful women in the world.

At 65, Alakija is said to have a net worth of 1.73 billion dollars after investing in the oil industry. She is the vice chair of a Nigerian oil exploration company, Famfa oil, that is in one of Nigeria’s largest deep water oil discoveries.


Alikija’s net worth however, has fallen due to the low global oil prices.


According to Forbes, the top five most powerful women in the world include  Germany’s Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton Presidential candidate in the United States, Chair at the Federal Reserve in the United States Janet Yellen, Melinda Gates the Cochair at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and fifthly, Mary Barra the CEO of General Motors in the United States.