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 For

bes

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.

Billionaire Folorunsho Alakija, Africa’s richest

woman.

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.