Men Marry Us But We Lead:Meet 10 Of The Most Successful Businesswomen In Africa

The 21st century will be remembered as the era in which women all around the world rose and African women will be recognised right besides their global counterparts. There are a number of African women that are redefining the corporate scene on the continent and are making a mark in contributing to the economic growth of their countries and the continent.
Meet some of the top 10 African women that are taking a lead in entrepreneurship, philanthropy, academics and civil society.


Ory Okolloh, Kenya
Founder, Ushahidi
Ory Okolloh is a graduate of Harvard law school, a political activist and writer. Her company, Ushahidi, is a crowd-sourcing utility that lets bloggers, journalists and individuals all over the world report violent acts through the web using either email, SMS or Twitter. Okolloh recently accepted a position as Google’s policy manager for Africa.


Yolanda Cuba, South Africa
Corporate Executive
At the age of 29, Cuba was named CEO of Mvelaphanda Group, a conglomerate that’s part of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. She since resigned from the position but is still regarded as one of Africa’s greatest business minds. Today she is a member of the ABSA, Steinhoff, Life Healthcare and other boards.


Ndidi Nwuneli, Nigeria
Social Entrepreneur
Nwuneli’s nonprofit organization, LEAP Africa, provides executive coaching services to small business owners and social entrepreneurs. Nwuneli is also a co-founder of the food processing company AACE Foods and in 2004 was honored with a Member of the Federal Republic title.


Dambisa Moyo, Zambia
Economist
Moyo is a New York Times best-selling author and one of Africa’s most active advocates for the abolition of foreign aid. Moyo was invited to give a speech in front of 2,000 guests, including Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister David Cameron at the annual observance ceremony in commemoration of Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey in 2004. Today she is a member of the board of Barclays Bank, SABMiller and Lundin Petroleum.


Khanyi Dhlomo, South Africa
Media Mogul
Dhlomo is one of the most revered media moguls in South Africa and the owner of Ndalo Media, which publishes Destiny Magazine and Destiny Man. Both magazines combine business and lifestyle content, targeting successful, intellectual and stylish individuals.



Isis Nyongo, Kenya
Managing Director, InMobi Africa
Nyongo is the vice president and managing director of InMobi, the largest independent mobile advertising network in the world. She’s also the former business development manager for Google’s operation in Africa and was a key player in Google’s content strategy on the continent.



Elsie Kanza, Tanzania
Economic Advisor to Tanzania’s President
Kanza serves as an assistant and economic advisor to Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. The World Economic Forum has also chosen her as a young global leader.



Lisa Kropman, South African
Entrepreneur
Kropman founded The Business Place, a chain of business centers that provide guidance and support to young African entrepreneurs and small businesses in Southern Africa.


Jonitha Gugu Msibi, South Africa
Senior Partner, Ernst & Young
Gugu Msibi acts as the public sector and government leader at Ernst & Young South Africa and is a senior partner at the company. She is also a respected adviser to numerous government figures in Africa and was honored with the title of Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011.


Juliet Ehimuan, Nigeria
Google Country Manager, Nigeria
Ehimuan has no small job: she is the head of Google’s operations in Nigeria – the African country with the most Internet users. She is also the leader of the company’s business development projects and partnership opportunities in the area.

Source:  AFK Insider