2025 Influential African Women List: Leaders and Changemakers Take Centre Stage

In a major continental announcement this week , Avance Media officially revealed its 2025 100 Most Influential African Women list, celebrating female leaders shaping policy, culture and social impact across Africa . The ranking features prominent figures from political leadership to activism, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Namibia’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah , alongside other influential changemakers recognized for their contributions to governance, public service, science, arts and social innovation.

Among the 2025 honorees, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej , CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the More Than a Mother Campaign, stood out for the seventh consecutive year , joining Africa’s most powerful female leaders in recognition of her sustained impact in women’s healthcare, empowerment and education .

First published around 2019 , the Avance Media list has been released yearly since then, establishing itself as a respected benchmark of female influence on the continent . It highlights women who have not only excelled in their fields but who also shape high-level decision-making across sectors from diplomacy and politics to research, advocacy and community leadership.

Under Dr. Kelej’s leadership, the Merck Foundation has executed transformative programs that have strengthened healthcare capacity , empowered women and girls, and expanded access to quality care in underserved regions. These initiatives include the Scholarship Program for healthcare professionals, which has provided more than 2,500 scholarships in critical medical specialties; the More Than a Mother movement, aimed at breaking the stigma around infertility and improving reproductive health; and the Educating Linda program, which supports underprivileged girls with annual school scholarships.

The list’s longevity and annual consistency have contributed to its credibility as a barometer for tracking leadership trends over time. By recognizing female leaders year after year, Avance Media highlights progress in gender equality , while shedding light on emerging voices and seasoned changemakers who influence public life across the continent.

Beyond recognition, the honor fuels momentum for ongoing initiatives that promote women’s participation in sectors historically dominated by men. From scientific research awards to creative advocacy campaigns blending art, media, music and education, the work celebrated by the list reflects a continuum of influence that spans decades .

As the 2025 edition unfolds, the ranking reaffirms not only the achievements of individual women but also a broader narrative that female leadership in Africa continues to expand its global footprint and redefine what it means to influence societies at scale.