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January 29, 2024
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When it comes to shaping a better, more equitable world, African women are leading the charge. From crafting economic policies that prioritize women to reimagining philanthropy and championing human rights, they’re not just sitting at the table, they’re redesigning it.
Let’s meet 5 women shaking things up across the globe and doing it with power and grace
Dr. Jemimah Njuki
Dr. Jemimah Njuki, a proud Kenyan and Chief of Economic Empowerment at UN Women. For over 20 years, Jemimah has made it her life’s work to place women at the heart of global economic systems. Her passion is to make sure unpaid care work isn’t treated like charity and that women in agriculture have a voice that counts. From Malawi to Zimbabwe, she’s been in the trenches, asking one bold question “Whose voice is missing from this table?” She helped create the Coalition to Make Food Systems Work for Women and Girls, and the Global Food 5050 tool to hold institutions accountable.
Jessica Horn
Jessica Horn brings power and poetry to development. As the Regional Director for East Africa at the Ford Foundation, she is the first African woman in the role since 1963! Born to Ugandan and Malian parents, Jessica champions feminist politics and deeper systemic change. She’s not about quick fixes. Jessica focuses on long-term strategies that empower feminist movements and reshape philanthropy. Whether working with the African Women’s Development Fund or the Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health, Jessica blends art, policy, and activism in a way that makes real change irresistible.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
If you’ve ever heard of the ONE Campaign, you’re already witnessing Ndidi’s hard work. As its President/CEO, this Nigerian powerhouse is turning advocacy into action, pushing for investments in health and economic opportunities across Africa.
Ndidi isn’t just behind desks or on panels, she’s out there mentoring, speaking, building. From founding African Food Changemakers to delivering powerful TED Talks, she makes development feel personal and urgent.
Neimat Abubaker Abas
Hailing from Sudan,Neimat is a bold voice for women’s rights across the Horn of Africa. With her background in law and gender governance, she’s currently making moves as Senior Programs Advisor at SIHA, the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa.
With experience at Oxfam America and Women for Women International, Neimat knows how to take policy from paper to practice. Her work disrupts harmful norms and gives women the tools to lead, thrive, and rise above conflict.
Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi
Ghanaian economist Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi is the President and CEO of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), one of the continent’s top think tanks. She’s spent 25 years leading across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, always challenging outdated models of development.
Her leadership is bold, future-focused, and human-centered. Whether it was designing private sector strategies at the UK’s Department for International Development or boosting investments through The Power of Nutrition, Mavis brings clarity and integrity to everything she touches.
These women are not just influencers; they are architects of a fairer future. They remind us that development isn’t just about aid or policy, it’s about people. Especially women. Especially Africa.
So next time you hear the phrase “international development”, think of these bold African women and ask yourself; What can I do to support a world where more women lead like this?