List of African Women Who Have Served as Presidents

Africa is the second largest continent in the world after Asia with 54 countries. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, and the Indian Ocean.

Despite the strides that the continent has made over the years, it still grapples with challenges of bad governance, poverty, and political instability.

Today, Africa boasts of five women presidents who were directly elected as presidents.

However, women remain underrepresented in top political offices across the continent.

Even as women continue to make milestones in parliamentary representation, the proportion of women holding positions in government remains low with male-dominated Cabinets and Parliaments.

Current Women Presidents in Africa

         1. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Namibia

Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in on Friday, March 21, 2025, as the country’s first female president.

At 72 years old, Netumbo joins other women who have held the position. She has held other government positions, including deputy prime minister and vice president.

Throughout her career, Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a member of SWAPO, the former liberation movement that is now Namibia’s ruling party. 

         2. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania

Samia Suluhu Hassan became Tanzania’s first female president in March 2021 following the sudden passing of President John Magufuli.

At the time, Suluhu was serving as the country’s Vice President- making her the automatic successor of Magufuli. Later in September 2021, Suluhu became just the fifth-ever female African leader to address the U.N. General Assembly. 

Also Read: Ruto and Other African Presidents with PhDs

Other African Women Who Served as Presidents

          3. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia

Sahle-Work Zewde is the first elected female President of Ethiopia. She served in the top seat from October 25, 2018, when she was first elected until 2024.

During that period, she worked as Special Representative of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union.

          4. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was the first female President of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018. She was selected to be a Presidential candidate in 2014 following the resignation of President Kailash Purryag. 

Also Read: Powerful Black Women Who Made History in 2024

           5. Joyce Hilda Banda, President of Malawi

Joyce Hilda Banda served as President of Malawi from 2012 to 2014 following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

She was also the country’s first female Vice President between 2009 to 2012.

During her leadership, Forbes named President Banda as the 40th most powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Africa.

Other women who have served as heads of state or head of governments in Africa include Liberia’s President Ellen Joseph (2006 to 2018), Victoire Sidémého Dzidudu Dogbé Tomegah (Togo’s Prime Minister), and Christiane Ossouka Raponda (first Prime Minister of Gabon).

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