African women rewriting Africa’s numbers on power

From pioneering presidents to groundbreaking entrepreneurs, African women are reshaping the continent’s future with quantifiable results. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf transformed Liberia’s economy from a negative growth rate to 8.7% prosperity. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan continues this tradition of pragmatic leadership in East Africa’s political landscape.

The numbers tell a compelling story: Countries with higher female labor participation grow faster economically. The World Bank estimates that closing the gender gap could add $2.5 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2025. Rwanda, with women holding 61% of parliamentary seats, has seen gender-focused policies drive a 12% reduction in poverty since 2015. In Ghana, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s digitization initiatives have reduced court backlogs by 40%.

Yet barriers persist with women holding only 22% of African ministerial roles. As Nigerian economist Oby Ezekwesili notes, “When women lead, priorities shift. Education, healthcare, and SMEs rise on agendas.”

The impact spans multiple sectors. Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu built soleRebels into a $100 million sustainable footwear brand. Nigeria’s Folorunso Alakija transformed a fashion career into a billion-dollar oil empire while funding vocational training for 25,000 women.

In culture and science, figures like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Grammy-winner Tems use their platforms for advocacy. Zimbabwean virologist Sikhulile Moyo’s identification of the Omicron variant showcased Africa’s scientific capabilities despite receiving less than 1% of global research funding.

Grassroots efforts continue to bridge divides. Ghanaian coder Ivy Barley’s Developers in Vogue has trained 10,000 women in AI, with 72% securing tech jobs in a sector where African women hold just 13% of roles.

The potential remains enormous: closing gender gaps could inject $316 billion into Africa’s annual GDP by 2030. With the continent already boasting the world’s highest percentage of women-run SMEs (29%), the economic case for women’s empowerment is clear.

As Wangarĩ Maathai wisely stated, “You cannot protect the environment unless you empower women.” This International Women’s Day 2025, her words resonate anew, reminding us that when African women thrive, society transforms.