According to the research firm, the list was put together with inspiration from the 2021 International Women's Day theme: "Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world", and it features women from 28 African countries who inspire the next generation of women around the world.
Some notable names on the list include Ellen Johnson Sirleaf- Former President of Liberia; Sahle-Work Zedwe- Ethiopian President; Angele Makombo- President, League of Congolese Democrats; Aja Fatouma Tambjang, Former Vice President of Gambia and Amina J Mohamed- United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh first African Woman to head IBM's operation in Africa as Regional Head and Executive Director, Angelique Kidjo from Benin and Aya Namakura a French-Malian singer.
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The youngest honouree to make the list for the second time is Namibia's Deputy ICT Minister, Hon. Emma Theofelus.
Below is the complete list of Avance Media's 2021 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order.
1. Agnes Binagwaho (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity
2. Agnes Matilda Kalibata (Dr) || CEO, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
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3. Ahunna Eziakonwa || Director, UNDP Africa
4. Aisha Yesufu || Activist
5. Aja Fatoumata C.M. Jallow-Tambajang (H.E.) || Former Vice-President, Gambia
6. Allen Kagina || Executive Director, Uganda National Roads Authority.
7. Amina J. Mohammed (H.E.) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
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8. Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Regional Head, IBM North, East and West Africa
9. Angèle Makombo || President, League of Congolese Democrats
10. Angélique Kidjo || Musician
11. Anne Waiguru (H.E.) || Governor, Kirinyaga County
12. Athaliah Molokomme || Permanent Representative of Botswana to the U.N.
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13. Awa Ndiaye-Seck || Resident Representative UN Women, Democratic Republic of the Congo
14. Aya Nakamura || Musician
15. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || CEO, soleRebels
16. Bience Gawanas || Executive Consultant, Gawanas Consulting
17. Busiswa Gqulu || Musician
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18. Charity Ngilu (H.E.) || Governor, Kitui County
19. Chebet Chikumbu || Africa Director, Global Citizen
20. Chileshe Kapwepwe (H.E.) || Secretary General, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
21. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie || Novelist
22. Damilola Ogunbiyi || CEO, Sustainable Energy for All
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23. Djamila Ferdjani (Dr) || Medical Doctor, MedCom
24. Dorothy Ghettuba || Content Manager for Africa, Netflix
25. Dorothy Kisaka || Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority
26. Edith Yah Brou || Blogger
27. Elizabeth M. Mrema || Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
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28. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E.) || Chair, EJS Centre
29. Emma Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia
30. Eve Bazaiba || Deputy Prime Minister, DRC
31. Fatima Kyari Mohammed (H.E.) || Permanent Representative, African Union Mission to the U.N.
32. Fatoumata Ba || Founder, Janngo Africa
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33. Faustina Fynn-Nyame || Executive Director for Africa, Children's Investment Fund Foundation
34. Filsan Abdullahi || Minister of Gender, Children and Youth, Ethiopia
35. Frehiwot Tamru || CEO, Ethio Telecom
36. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka (Dr) || CEO, Conservation Through Public Health
37. Graça Machel || Founder, Graca Machel Trust
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38. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim || Coordinator, Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad
39. Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu || CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation
40. Irene Asare || Global H.R. Director, CarvinClay People Development
41. Jacqueline Fatima Bocoum || Journalist
42. Jacqueline Moudeïna || Lawyer
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43. Jeannette Kagame (H.E.) || First Lady, Rwanda
44. Jessica Rose Epel Alupo (H.E) || Vice President, Uganda
45. Julienne Lusenge || President, Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development
46. Julitta Onabanjo (Dr) || Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa
47. Kaba Nialé || Minister of Planning and Development, Ivory Coast
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48. Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo (Dr.) || Journalist
49. Laureen Kouassi-Olsson || Founder & CEO, Birimian Holding
50. Letty Chiwara || Representative to Ethiopia, A.U. & ECA, U.N. Women
51. Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary General, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
52. Mamokgethi Phakeng (Prof.) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town
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53. Mariam Chabi Talata (H.E.) || Vice President, Benin
54. Martha Ama A. Pobee (H.E.) || Assist. Secretary-General for Africa, UN
55. Martha K Koome (Lady Justice) || Chief Justice, Kenya
56. Mary-Jane Morifi || Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Tiger Brands
57. Matshidiso Moeti (Dr) || Regional Director for Africa, WHO
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58. Mercy Johnson || Actress
59. Mitwa Kaemba Ng'ambi || CEO, MTN Rwanda
60. Monde Muyangwa (Dr.) || Director of the Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson Center
61. Monique Nsanzabaganwa (H.E.) || Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission
62. Musonda Xoliswa Mumba (Dr) || Chief of the Terrestrial Ecosystems, UNEP
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63. Mwele Malecela || Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO
64. Nabou Fall || CEO, Vizeo
65. Nadeen Ashraf || Activist
66. Nafissatou Jocelyne Diop || Chief of Gender and Human Rights, United Nations Population Fund
67. Nancy Matimu || Managing Director, MultiChoice Kenya
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68. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala || Director-General, World Trade Organization
69. Nnenna Nwakanma || Chief Web Advocate, WWW Foundation
70. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda || Chairperson, ActionAid International
71. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde || Actress
72. Oulimata Sarr || Regional Director West and Central Africa, UN Women
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73. Owen Omogiafo || CEO, Transcorp Group
74. Patricia Obo-Nai || CEO, Vodafone Ghana
75. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka || Executive Director, U.N. Women
76. Rasha Kelej (Dr) || CEO, Merck Foundation
77. Renée Ngamau || Chairperson, Amnesty International Kenya
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78. Roberta Annan || Founder, Africa Fashion Foundation
79. Rose Mwebaza || Director, U.N. Climate Technology Centre and Network
80. Rosebell Kagumire || Editor, African Feminism
81. Roselyn Akombe (Dr) || Governance and Peacebuilding Regional Coordinator, UNDP Africa
82. Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E.) || President, Ethiopia
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83. Samia Suluhu Hassan (H.E) || President, Tanzania
84. Sheila Ochugboju (Dr) || Head, Strategic Communications, Africa CDC
85. Sola David-Borha || Group CEO, Standard Bank Africa
86. Stella Nyanzi (Dr.) || Convenor, Women's Protest Uganda
87. Stigmata Tenga (Dr.) || Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network
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88. Tiguidanke Camara || CEO, Tigui Mining Group
89. Titi Akinsanmi || Policy and Government Relations Lead, Google
90. Tsitsi Dangarembga || Author
91. Ubah Ali || Activist
92. Uche Ofodile || CEO, MTN Benin
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93. Victoire Tomegah Dogbé || Prime Minister, Togo
94. Wanjira Mathai || Regional Director for Africa, World Resources Institute
95. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (Dr) || Director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)
96. Waris Dirie || CEO, Desert Flower Foundation
97. Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS
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98. Yemisi Akinbobola (Dr) || Co-Founder, African Women in Media
99. Yolanda Cuba || Chief Digital and Fintech Officer, MTN Group
100. Zainab Hawa Bangura || Director-General, United Nations Office at Nairobi
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