ARISE 100: DYNAMIC WOMEN celebrates extraordinary and powerful women
effecting real change for the continent across a gamut of disciplines, including
politics, fashion, the arts, entertainment, sport and activism. Their tireless efforts
are helping Africa to take its rightful place on the world stage in the 21st century.
The authoritative roll call includes such inspirational women in alphabetical order:
Ahdaf Soueif, writer and activist, Egypt/UK
Alek Wek, model and campaigner, South Sudan
Angelina Jolie, actress, US
Angélique Kidjo, singer and campaigner, Benin
Ann McCreath, KikoRomeo designer, founder of FAFA and Fashion for Peace, Kenya
Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, former UN Deputy Secretary-General, Tanzania
Awa Marie Coll-Seck, Minister of Health, Senegal
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, activist and writer, Somalia/Netherlands/US
Ayo Obe, Vice Chair, National Crisis Group, Nigeria
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder, soleRebels, Ethiopia
Bridgette Radebe, President, South African Mining Development Association, SA
Buika, singer, Spain/Equatorial Guinea
Candice Swanepoel, model, SA
Charlayne Hunter-Gault, journalist, US
Charlize Theron, actress, SA /US
Cherie Blair, lawyer, UK
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author, Nigeria/US
Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé, former Prime Minister, Mali
Dambisa Moyo, economist, Zambia/US
Deola Sagoe, fashion designer, Nigeria
Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria
Dorothy K Gordon, Director General, Advanced Information Technology Institute, Ghana
Dr Eleni Gabre-Madhin, founder, Ethiopia Commodity Exchange, Ethiopia
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia
Elsie Kanza, Director, World Economic Forum, Tanzania
Eva Muraya, co-founder and CEO, Color Creations Group, Kenya
Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, The Gambia
Folake Folarin-Coker, fashion designer, Tiffany Amber, Nigeria
Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-chief, Vogue Italia, Italy
Genevieve Nnaji, actress, Nigeria
Genevieve Sangudi, Managing Director, Carlyle Group Africa, Tanzania
Graça Machel, advocate for human rights, Mozambique
Hajia Bola Shagaya, founder and CEO, Bolmus Group International, Nigeria
Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, model, Tunisia
Hon Aicha Bah Diallo, Chair of the Forum for African Women Educationalists, Kenya
Ida Odinga, Founder, Ida Odinga Trust, womens health campaigner, Kenya
Iman, model, campaigner and entrepreneur, Somalia/US
Irene Charnley, CEO, Smile Telecoms, SA
Isabel dos Santos, investor and businesswoman, Angola
Isis Nyongo, Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, InMobi, Kenya/US
Dr Johnnetta B Cole, Director of the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of African Art, US
Jonitha Gugu Msibi, Senior Partner, Ernst & Young, SA
Joy Phumaphi, Vice President, Human Development Network, World Bank, Botswana
Joyce Banda, President, Malawi
Juliet Ehimuan, Google Nigeria Country Manager, Nigeria
Kanya King, founder, Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, UK
Kerryn Greenberg, Curator (International Art), Tate Modern, SA/UK
Laurence Chauvin Buthaud, designer and founder, LaurenceAirline,
France/Côte dIvoire
Leigh Blake, founder, ACT V, UK
Leymah Gbowee, peace activist, Liberia
Lira, musician, SA
Lisa Folawiyo, founder and Creative Director, Jewel by Lisa, Nigeria.
Liya Kebede, model, Ethiopia
Maggie Aderin-Pocock, space scientist and BBC presenter, Nigeria/UK
Maria Ramos, CEO, Absa Group, Portugal/SA
Mariam Doumbia, vocalist, Mali
Melinda Gates, philanthropist, US
Minoush Abdel-Meguid, co-founder, Union Capital, Egypt
Monhla Hlahla, Chair, IDC, SA
Mphatheleni Makaulule, founder, Mupo Foundation, SA
Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng, former Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Lesotho
Nadiyah Spencer, Director of Sourcing and Production, SUNO, US/Kenya
Dr Natasha Sauven, paediatrician, Sierra Leone/UK
Ngozi Edozien, Director, Actis West Africa, Nigeria
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance, Nigeria
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chair, African Union, SA
Nombulelo Pinky Moholi, CEO, Telkom SA LTD, SA
Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita, CEO, ArcelorMittal South Africa, SA
Odile Sankara, activist and comedian, Burkina Faso
Oluchi Orlandi, model, Nigeria
Oprah Winfrey, media mogul, US
Ory Okolloh, Google Policy Manager for Africa, Kenya
Oumou Sangaré, musician, Mali
Phuti Malabie, CEO, Shanduka Group, SA
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, speaker, Ugandan Parliament, Uganda
Rosalind Kainyah, Vice President, External Affairs & CSR, Tullow Oil, Ghana/UK
Rungano Nyoni, filmmaker, Zambia/UK
Sarah Brown, campaigner, UK
Serkalem Fasil, journalist, US/Ethiopia
Sharon Wauchob, Creative Director, Edun, Ireland
Sophie Okonedo, actress, UK
Stella Kilonzo, Chief Executive, Capital Markets Authority, Kenya
Susan Santie Botha, Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela University, SA
Tebello Nyokong, scientist, Lesotho
Teresa Heinz Kerry, businesswoman and philanthropist, US
Thandie Newton, actress, UK/Zimbabwe
Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator, Studio Museum in Harlem, US
Thuli Madonsela, public protector, SA
Thyla van der Merwe, Association of South African Women in Science and Engineering, SA
Tirunesh Dibaba, runner, Ethiopia
Tsega Gebreyes, Managing Partner, Satya Capital, Ethiopia/UK
Baroness Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs & Emergency Relief Coordinator, UK
Vivienne Westwood, designer, UK
Wanuri Kahiu, film director, Kenya
Waris Dirie, model, author, campaigner, Somalia
Wendy Ackerman, retail tycoon, SA
Wendy Luhabe, social entrepreneur, SA
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician, SA
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer, SA
Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Sierra Leone
