Edith Kimani, a journalist who works at the German international broadcasting service Deutsche Welle (DW), and Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), are among 12 Kenyan women featured in the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2024.
This is after Avance Media, Africa’s leading PR and rating firm, announced the 6th edition of its highly anticipated 2024 list of the 100 Most Influential African Women.
This annual publication celebrates the extraordinary achievements of women who are breaking barriers in their respective fields and inspiring transformational change in their communities and across the continent.
Representing 32 African countries, the 2024 list highlights the diversity and impact of African women leaders.
Edith Kimani, Faith Odhiambo Among 12 Kenyans Featured in TOP 100 Influential List
Nigeria leads with 22 honorees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5.
Also to note, the honorees come from various sectors, including business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, philanthropy, and more.
Selection for the 2024 list was based on criteria such as excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, a commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and exemplifying the qualities of an accomplished African woman.
Veronica Mueni Nduva, who was appointed as the first woman to serve as the East African Community (EAC) Secretary-General is among the Kenyan women featured in the 100 Most Influential African Women list.
Prior to her appointment, Veronica served as the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management.
She also held the role of Secretary to the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) and Joint Secretary to the Principal Secretaries Meeting.
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Kenyan Women CEOs Also Featured in the List
Taaka Awori, CEO of Busara Africa, a Pan-African leadership development firm, is also listed.
With over 20 years of experience, she is a leadership trainer, certified coach, facilitator, speaker, and organizational development specialist, having worked with civil society, the private sector, and various government agencies across East, West, and Southern Africa, Europe, and the U.S.
Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations Global Compact, is another notable inclusion. Ojiambo joined the UN from Safaricom Plc in Kenya, where she served as Head of Sustainable Business and Social Impact.
Rosemary Nduhiu, Executive Director of the Country Program at the Mastercard Foundation, is also featured. Previously the Chief Financial Officer at MultiChoice Africa, she has held senior leadership roles at Kenya Breweries, Airtel Africa, Dal Group, and Unilever Kenya.
Rachel Wanyoike, Managing Director of Solidaridad East and Central Africa, is also among the honorees. Wanyoike is a climate policy and development professional with extensive experience in implementing impact-driven development projects across sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Julie Gichuru, founder and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), also makes the list. ALADI is a pan-African organization focused on advancing leadership development, African storytelling, knowledge building, and agenda-setting.
Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO of Optiva Capital Partners, is another Kenyan woman recognized in the 100 Most Influential African Women list.
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Other Kenyan Women Listed Among Top 100 Influential
Elizabeth Wathuti, a Green Climate Fund Youth Champion and founder of the Green Generation Initiative, is also honored.
Caroline A. Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures, is ranked among the top influential African women. Essence Ventures is a portfolio of brands focused on activating a global Black economic ecosystem.
Finally, Kenyan-born Carol Abade, Group CEO of EXP, a Pan-African experiential marketing and sponsorship agency, is also included in the prestigious list.
The list also features two female presidents, six female vice presidents, one Prime Minister, one Deputy United Nations Secretary-General, and one Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
These achievements mark a historic milestone for women in leadership across the continent and in global governance, showcasing Africa as a rising force for gender equity and empowerment.
Among the top honorees are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania, Angélique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning artist and activist, Fariba Nabourema Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate, and Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation.
Prince Akpah, the Founder of Avance Media, emphasized that the publication aims to promote gender equality and recognise women’s contributions to Africa’s progress.
“By amplifying the stories of these influential women, we seek to inspire policy shifts, organizational reforms, and grassroots efforts to empower women and girls,” he said.
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