News Release

8th March 2024

We are excited to unveil the 2024 Top 20 Inspirational African Diaspora Professional Women (ADIPWO), a testament to exceptional leadership and innovation transforming industries in Africa and at a global scale.

This year’s list, compiled through public nominations and our editor’s research of noteworthy achievements, highlights the extraordinary contributions of African women across various sectors.

The 2024 selection reflects a diverse group of women who are not just leading but also setting new standards of excellence and inspiring a wave of future leaders.

Their achievements are particularly resonant as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 under the theme “Invest in Women,” spotlighting the pivotal role women play in advancing digital technologies and other key industries.

Among the honourees are:

  • Zimbabwean-American Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, the visionary behind the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), advocates for Africa’s economic liberation and unity.
  • Togolese Dédé Rose Gamélé Creppy, whose legacy in the textile industry continues to empower women in West Africa through her daughter and the new generation of cloth traders.
  • Ivorian Aya Gertrude Konan, Cote d’Ivoire’s pioneering female commercial pilot, exemplifies determination and passion in overcoming industry barriers.
  • Ghanaian-American Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, is at the forefront of addressing and mitigating bias in artificial intelligence, advocating for equitable and accountable technology.
  • Senegalese Fatoumata Bâ, VC & Founder of Janngo Capital, is revolutionising the tech landscape in Africa by focusing on empowering female entrepreneurs through bridging the funding gap.

These women, among others from 14 African nationalities listed, are redefining the boundaries of their respective fields and showing the world the immense potential and talent within the African diaspora.

Francine Beleyi, founder of ADIPWO, expressed her admiration: “Each year, I am deeply inspired and honoured to spotlight these remarkable women. Their journeys demonstrate the boundless possibilities awaiting those who dare to dream and persist.”

We invite you to explore the full list and the stories of these influential women on https://www.francinebeleyi.com/adipwo/.

Let their achievements inspire you to support and engage with the empowerment of women in all spheres of life and pave the way for future generations of women leaders. Join us in celebrating their contributions by sharing their stories, engaging in conversations about their impact, and following our social media campaign.

For more information, please contact Francine Beleyi at francine@nucleusofchange.com or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/francinebeleyi/

About ADIPWO:

The African Diaspora 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 Africa development.

Join ADIPWE LinkedIn group with 400+ members to participate in the conversation. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2949183/

More about the list and previous editions https://www.francinebeleyi.com/adipwo

 

About the Editor:

Francine Beleyi is the Editor and Founder of African Diaspora 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 British-Togolese digital and branding strategist, business advisor, and international speaker. She assists entrepreneurs, CEOs, and organisations with their digital communication strategies and the management of their personal and professional brands. Her expertise enables her clients to enhance their visibility, effectively reach their target audience, and boost their profitability, thereby maximising their impact.

She is the founder of nucleus of change and 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 is one of the co-authors of the book ‘Africa–Europe Cooperation and Digital Transformation’ with chapter 16 ‘Fostering Prosperity for African Female Entrepreneurs: Opportunities for AU–EU Cooperation in Digital Entrepreneurship Networks.’

Follow Francine: LinkedIn com/in/francinebeleyi | Twitter & Instagram: @FrancineBeleyi

For interviews and speaking requests, contact Francine@nucleusofchange.com

Francinebeleyi.com  | www.nucleusofchange.com

ENDS