General

The Harvard-trained banker and former World Bank economist became Africa’s first democratically-elected female president in 2005 after slugging it out at Presidential polls with rival, ex-international soccer star, George Weah. She is looking to be re-elected at this year’s general elections scheduled for October. Highlight of administration: Successfully negotiated for debt relief from international creditors. In June 2010, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund waived off Liberia’s $4.9b foreign debt. Johnson-Sirleaf has restricted annual borrowing to 3 per cent of GDP and now limits expenditure of borrowed funds to only one-off infrastructure projects.

Wangari Mathaai,Nobel Prize Laureate, Founder Greenbelt Movement
Kenya
In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions towards sustainable development, peace and democracy. The Former Kenyan Deputy Minister for Environment and Natural resources remains Africa’s most respected voice on Environmental conservation and women-empowerment related issues. In 1977, she founded the Green Belt Movement, an influential non-governmental organisation committed to the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. The organisation has planted over 40 million trees in Africa. Wangari was the first East-African woman to receive a PhD.

Dr Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank
Nigeria
Nigeria’s first female finance minister spearheaded the country’s quest for debt relief. In 2005, she played a pivotal role in negotiating a deal with the Paris Club, a group of bilateral creditors to pay a portion of Nigeria’s $12 billion external debts in return for receiving an $18b debt write-off. She was also instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first Sovereign Credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s. Now serves as Managing Director of the World Bank, responsible for Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia. Committed to business in Africa; co-founded Makeda fund, a $50million private equity fund that invests in women-owned businesses. Serves as a key advisor to several investment groups working in Africa. She is a Harvard graduate and member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Nicky Newton-KingDeputy Chief Executive Officer, Johannesburg Stock Exchange
South-Africa
Before the end of this year, the Cambridge graduate will become the first female Chief Executive of the JSE Limited, Africa’s largest stock exchange. Currently its deputy chief executive, she serves as a member of the JSE’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Responsibilities include managing investor relations and developing JSE’s strategy. She also heads the development of the JSE’s Socially Responsible Investment Index and manages the JSE’s data vending business.

Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita- CEO, ArcelorMittal South-Africa
South-Africa
She is CEO of ArcelorMittal South Africa, a unit of global giant ArcelorMittal and the continent’s largest steelmaker. She assumed position in 2008 after managerial stints at Vodacom Group and Alliance Capital Management. Ms Nyembezi-Heita has a B.Sc. She has an Honors degree in electrical engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and a Masters degree in the same discipline from California Institute of Technology. She also has an MBA from the Open University (UK). Ms Nyembezi-Heita serves as non-executive director on the board of the JSE Securities Exchange.

Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources
Nigeria
The former Shell employee was appointed Nigeria’s first female petroleum resources minister last year. Top priority: Ensure successful passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law. Among other things, the bill provides for increased indigenous participation in Nigeria’s upstream industry. Diezani is also overseeing a government plan to hand over 10 per cent of oil revenues to communities in Niger Delta to appease militant groups. She’s a Cambridge graduate.
Siza Mzimela, CEO South-African Airways
South-Africa
The first woman to head South-Africa’s national carrier, Siza Mzimela joined South African Airways in January 1996 as a research analyst after stints at Standard Bank and Total S.A. She occupied sensitive positions including regional general manager for Africa & the Middle East, and Executive Vice President of Global Passenger Services. Assumed CEO position in February 2010. Board member of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

Isabel Dos Santos,Businesswoman
Angola
The eldest daughter of Angola’s President might be Africa’s richest woman. She got her start in business by using father’s influence to corner lucrative state contracts at age 24. Her Investment holding vehicle, Kento owns majority stakes in several of Angola’s largest corporations. Keep close ties with Portugal. In 2010 she acquired a 10% stake in Portuguese media conglomerate, Zon Multimedia; reportedly acquired the stake for 164 million Euros. Also owns major stakes in Portuguese Banks Banco Espírito Santo and Banco Português de Investimento and in Energias de Portugal, an Energy firm.

Mamphele Ramphele,CEO, Circle Capital Partners
South-Africa
The former anti-apartheid activist and one-time managing director of the World Bank is now one of Africa’s most prominent venture capitalists and Boardroom gurus. Seats on the boards of mining giant, Anglo-American, Investment Holding company, Remgro. Serves on the board of Trustees for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and the Rockefeller foundation.

Bridgette Radebe, Chairman Mmakau Mining
South-Africa
Married to South-Africa’s Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe, the elder sister to billionaire Patrice Motsepe is one of Africa’s best known mining entrepreneurs. She started mining in the late 1980s and went on to found Mmakau, a successful mining company with interests in platinum, coal, chrome and gold mines. Bridgette played an active role in the design of the South African Mining Charter. She’s also President of the South African Mining Development Association.