Meet the Top 20 Inspirational Women of the African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women  (ADIPWO) List 2025

 

Welcome to the 12th edition of the Top 20 Inspirational Women from the African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women (ADIPWO), a list published to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate the achievements of some of the most inspiring women from Africa both in the Diaspora and on the continent.

Previously the list was called the African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women. However, I’ve been expanding the ADIPWO List to include more African women on the continent—a reflection of the growing movement of African women returning home and thriving across industries.

These women are being celebrated for their achievements and for putting Africa on the global map.

There is no particular ranking for this list compiled using nominations from the members of the public, internet sources and personal inspiration.

Here are the Top 20 Inspirational Women from the African Diaspora Professional Women in Europe (ADIPWO) 2025.

Watch the Full List of the Top 20 Inspirational Women from the African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women (ADIPWO) 2025

 

News Release in English & French

 

 

The Top 20 Inspirational Women of the African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women (ADIPWO) List 2025

 

Graci Harkema, DEI Consultant & Speaker | Congo – USA

“Belonging doesn’t mean assimilating to other’s expectations”

Born amid civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Graci Harkema was left at an orphanage as an infant, not expected to survive. She was later adopted by an American missionary and raised in Michigan. Growing up as a Black, queer adoptee in a predominantly white community, she struggled with identity and belonging.

Now a leading consultant on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Harkema helps organizations foster safe and inclusive workplaces. Through her memoir Rising, she shares her journey of self-acceptance, racial justice advocacy, and reconnecting with her birth mother—turning her identity into her superpower

 

Lydie “Laye” Vissoh, Airline Pilot | Benin- Senegal – France

Breaking Barriers in the Skies

Lydie “Laye” Vissoh is an airline pilot at Air France, flying the Airbus A350. Inspired by her father, also a pilot, she developed a passion for aviation from a young age. With over a decade of experience, she thrives in a profession where women remain underrepresented, proving that the sky is open to all who dare to dream. Lydie’s journey is an inspiration, reminding African women that they belong wherever they aspire to be—including the cockpit.

 

Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Economist, Minister | Botswana

Championing African Economic Growth

Bogolo Joy Kenewendo is a Botswana economist, policy advisor, and Minister of of Minerals and Energy. As the youngest minister in Botswana’s history, she championed economic reforms, trade development, and youth empowerment. Bogolo Joy is a vocal advocate for gender equality and climate resilience, playing a key role in shaping Africa’s sustainable economic policies. Her leadership continues to inspire young Africans, especially women, to pursue impactful roles in business and governance.

 

Zouera Youssoufou, Philanthropy & Development Leader | Niger- Nigeria

Transforming Lives Through Strategic Giving

Zouera Youssoufou is the Managing Director and CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Africa’s largest private philanthropic organization. She leads high-impact initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment, improving millions of lives across the continent. With a background in finance and development, she champions strategic philanthropy to drive sustainable change. Through her leadership, ADF is tackling poverty, malnutrition, and healthcare challenges, reinforcing Africa’s path to inclusive growth.

 

Faraja Kotta Nyalandu, Founder & CEO, Shule Direct | Tanzania

Revolutionizing Education Through Technology

Faraja Nyalandu is a Tanzanian social entrepreneur and lawyer committed to transforming education in Africa. As the founder and CEO of Shule Direct, she provides millions of students with digital learning tools, bridging educational gaps through technology. Her work ensures quality education for underserved communities, empowering youth with accessible resources. Faraja also supports women entrepreneurs through Ndoto Hub, fostering leadership and business growth. Recognized for her advocacy in girls’ education and children’s rights, she continues to drive social change in Tanzania.

 

Nomzamo Mbatha, Actress & Humanitarian | South Africa

Amplifying Voices, Empowering Communities

Nomzamo Mbatha is a South African actress, producer, and humanitarian dedicated to social impact. Rising to fame in entertainment, she uses her platform to advocate for refugees, climate action, and education. As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, she amplifies the voices of displaced people, driving global awareness and support. Through her foundation, she provides scholarships and resources for underserved youth. Nomzamo seamlessly blends glamour with activism, proving that influence can be a force for good.

 

Lucy Quist, Business Executive, Author | Ghana-UK

Trailblazing Leader in Telecom & STEM

Lucy Quist is a renowned business executive and the first Ghanaian woman to lead a multinational telecom company as CEO of Airtel Ghana. She was also Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and is a passionate advocate for STEM education, youth empowerment and leadership across Africa. With a background in engineering and finance, she has held key roles at Vodafone and Ecobank. Through her initiatives, she inspires young Africans to embrace innovation and leadership in technology.

 

Fanta Yadang, Neuroscientist & Researcher | Cameroon

Advancing Medicine Through African Plants

Dr. Fanta Yadang is a pioneering neuroscientist whose groundbreaking research explores the medicinal properties of African plants for treating heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Recognized by the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, she is at the forefront of integrating traditional herbal medicine with modern science. Overcoming gender and regional barriers, she inspires young African women to pursue STEM careers. Her work not only honours Africa’s rich biodiversity but also paves the way for accessible, plant-based medical treatments.

 

Jumoke Dada, Entrepreneur & Designer | Nigeria

Revolutionising African Furniture Design

Jumoke Dada is the founder and CEO of Taeillo, a trailblazing furniture brand often called the “IKEA of Africa.” By merging contemporary design with African aesthetics, she creates stylish, locally made furniture that caters to the modern African lifestyle. Through innovative e-commerce strategies and a commitment to sustainability, Jumoke is reshaping the furniture industry across the continent. Her work not only boosts local manufacturing but also empowers African artisans, making high-quality, Afrocentric design accessible to a global audience.

 

Kayissan Dominique Atayi (KDA), Communication/Event Expert & Mentor | Togo

Shaping African Future Leaders

Kayissan Dominique Atayi (KDA) is a communications consultant, event expert, and mentor dedicated to empowering African youth and women. After eight years in corporate roles, she launched her entrepreneurial journey, founding KDA-PRO, an agency specializing in high-level event planning, public relations, and image consulting.

Committed to sharing her expertise, she founded the KDA Mentorship Program, a free initiative that equips Togolese students with leadership skills, career readiness, and personal development. Through engagement, discipline, and rigor, KDA is shaping a new generation of confident and empowered professionals.

 

Wanjira Mathai, Environmentalist & Climate Activist | Kenya

Championing Climate Action & Sustainability

Wanjira Mathai is a globally recognized environmentalist and the daughter of Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. As Managing Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute, she leads efforts in reforestation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. A powerful advocate for Africa’s green future, she has spearheaded initiatives like the AFR100, aiming to restore millions of hectares of degraded land. Her work continues her mother’s legacy, empowering communities and shaping global environmental policies.

 

Samia Ben Abdallah, Creative Director and founder | Tunisia

Redefining Made in Africa Sustainable Luxury

Samia Ben Abdallah is the visionary founder of AWA, a premium leather goods brand showcasing Tunisia’s rich craftsmanship. Committed to sustainability and local artistry, she blends modern design with traditional techniques to create high-end bags and accessories. Through her work, she not only brings African luxury to the global stage but also empowers artisans and promotes job creation. Samia is also involved with EInA, an initiative supporting employment and entrepreneurship in Africa.

 

Rosalind Kainyah MBE, Sustainability & Business Leader | Ghana – UK

Advancing Sustainable Business in Africa

Rosalind Kainyah MBE is a corporate sustainability expert and business leader dedicated to responsible investment in Africa. As the founder of Kina Advisory, she helps businesses integrate sustainable practices while driving economic growth. With a background in law and extensive experience advising global corporations, she champions ethical business strategies that benefit both companies and African communities. Her thought leadership, including Africa’s Hidden Gems newsletter, highlights impactful yet underrepresented African enterprises.

 

Zineb Iraqi, Social Entrepreneur | Morocco

Transforming Cashew Farming for Women

Zineb Iraqi is a Moroccan social entrepreneur and co-founder of Maison Malaké, a cooperative empowering women in the cashew nut industry across Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. Through ethical sourcing and sustainable practices, she helps create economic opportunities for African women, ensuring fair wages and improved working conditions. Her work is revolutionizing the cashew value chain by promoting local processing and international market access, fostering financial independence for female farmers.

 

Djeneba Keita, Founder & Conductor of Africafé | Mali

Creating African space where coffee and culture unite

Djeneba Keita is the visionary behind Africafé, a coffee shop that blends warmth, tradition, and the rich culinary heritage of Africa. Driven by her love for Africa and passion for cuisine, she created a space where coffee and culture unite—where you can enjoy Kenyan coffee in the morning, savor a Timbuktu dish for lunch, and indulge in a Bissap cheesecake for dessert. Through Africafé, she redefines the coffee experience, offering a vibrant culinary journey that celebrates Africa’s flavors and stories.

 

Simone Fafa Kéké, Merchant Navy Captain | Togo

Breaking Barriers in Maritime Industry

Simone Fafa Kéké is Togo’s first female deep-sea merchant navy captain, shattering gender barriers in the maritime sector. With unwavering determination, she has navigated a male-dominated field, proving that women can excel in leadership roles at sea. Her success inspires young African women to pursue careers in STEM and transportation industries, reinforcing that perseverance and passion can break any ceiling.

 

Marwa Cheikh-Youssef, Architect & Innovation Leader | Morocco

Empowering Africa’s Entrepreneurs Through Innovation

The late Marwa Cheikh-Youssef was a Moroccan architect and visionary entrepreneur dedicated to fostering innovation. She passed away in December 2024. As president of Hack&Pitch, she led initiatives that inspired young entrepreneurs across Morocco and Africa, organizing 150+ tech events, from hackathons to bootcamps. Passionate about economic empowerment, she blended architecture with entrepreneurship, creating incubators in underserved communities. Her leadership extended beyond Morocco, impacting Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Her legacy lives on through the thriving ecosystem she helped build, proving that entrepreneurship can transform lives.

 

Mame Dorine Gueye, Founder of Étoile Africaine | Senegal

Amplifying Africa’s Voice Through Media

In 2007, Mame Dorine Gueye made the bold decision to leave Europe and return to Senegal. Mame founded Étoile Africaine to showcase and uplift African talent, culture, and entrepreneurship. Through a dynamic media platform—including a magazine, website, high-quality audiovisual productions, and the Lenge conference series—she creates spaces for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and creative expression. Passionate about storytelling, she works tirelessly to spotlight Africa’s creative excellence and drive its cultural and media evolution.

 

Margaret Nyamumbo, Entrepreneur & Coffee Innovator | Kenya-UK

Redefining Coffee for African Farmers

Growing up in a Kenyan coffee-farming community, Margaret Nyamumbo saw firsthand how women provided 90% of the labour yet lacked land ownership. After studying at Harvard and working on Wall Street, she founded Kahawa 1893 to share East African coffee globally while ensuring women farmers receive fair wages and ownership.

Through direct trade and a unique tipping system, Kahawa 1893 supports women farmers in Kenya, Rwanda, and Congo—funding small businesses, girls’ education, and disaster relief. Nyamumbo is redefining Africa’s role in premium coffee production, making every cup a step toward economic empowerment

 

Natacha Njongwa Yepnga, Quantitative Analyst, Data Scientist | Cameroon

Empowering Africans Through Data Science

Natacha Njongwa Yepnga is a Cameroonian data scientist, quantitative analyst, and mentor dedicated to making data science accessible to French-speaking Africans. As the founder of Le Coin Stat, she provides valuable insights on statistics, machine learning, and data analysis, helping aspiring data professionals develop their skills. Through mentorship and educational content, she is bridging the knowledge gap and empowering Africans to thrive in the tech industry.

🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natacha-njongwa-yepnga/
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lecoin_stat/
🔗 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/4ilRvuH

 

About ADIPWO

African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women (ADIPWO) is an online forum that aims to:

  • Celebrate the success of African Women across the world, including in Africa.
  • Give visibility to women who have achieved success in their own way but may still be unknown by the wider public.
  • Inspire the new generation of African Women and share ideas to make a difference (no matter how big or small it is).
  • Contribute to Africa’s rebranding and development by identifying opportunities to transfer the vast knowledge gained outside the continent.

This forum is open to women of the African Diaspora and to anyone who has a passion for African development.

Join ADIPWO LinkedIn group with 500+ members to participate in the conversation.

 

About the Editor:

https://www.francinebeleyi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Francine-Beleyi-editor-ADIPWE.jpg

Francine Beleyi is the Editor and Founder of African Diaspora & Indigenous Professional Women  (ADIPWO), a list started in 2011 to feature the achievements of African women in their host countries and on the continent.

Francine is an award-winning digital & change strategist, business advisor, specialist in corporate and personal branding. She helps entrepreneurs, CEOs, corporate executives, and governments in their digital communication strategy, management of their personal and professional brand to increase their visibility, better reach their target audience, and improve their profitability in order to have a greater impact.

She is the founder of nucleus of change, international speaker and award-winning author of the book ‘Personal branding in the digital age: How to become a known expert, thrive and make a difference in the connected world’. She hosts the podcast Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life available on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.

 

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  • Voice of Africa
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