ICS Africa, in partnership with Oasis Magazine and The Fearless & Fabulous Network, has unveiled the Africa’s Phenomenal 50 — IWD 2026 Edition, a continental list recognising women whose leadership and impact have transformed industries and communities across Africa.

The list, which covers contributions made between March 2025 and March 2026, celebrates women who embody the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 theme, “Give to Gain.” According to the organisers, the recognition highlights women who invest in platforms, policies, capital, knowledge, and infrastructure that enable others to thrive.

The 2026 edition features honourees across eight sectors, reflecting the breadth of women’s leadership on the continent.

In the Multilateral Policy and Public Service category, notable figures include Amina J. Mohammed, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, and Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.

The Health, Equity and Human Development category recognises leaders such as Winnie Byanyima and global health advocate Ayoade Alakija, alongside innovators like Temie Giwa-Tubosun and Funmi Adewara.

Climate advocates including Wanjira Mathai, Vanessa Nakate, and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim were recognised under Climate Action and Environmental Justice, alongside Damilola Ogunbiyi.

In Technology, Data and Open Science, pioneers such as Funke Opeke, Timnit Gebru, and Rediet Abebe were highlighted for shaping Africa’s digital future.
The Trade, Markets and Entrepreneurship category features global economic leaders including Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as well as entrepreneurs like Odunayo Eweniyi and Farida Bedwei.

In Education, Inclusion and Knowledge Systems, honourees include Elsie Effah Kaufmann and Dorothy Gordon, recognised for advancing education and digital inclusion.

The Creative Economy, Media and Social Impact category celebrates personalities such as Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Nana Aba Anamoah, and Nana Ama McBrown for their contributions to storytelling, philanthropy, and youth development.

Speaking on the announcement, ICS Africa Founder and CEO, Emmaline Datey, said the initiative goes beyond recognition.

“Africa’s Phenomenal 50 goes beyond a recognition list. It is a statement of what leadership looks like when women choose to build platforms that uplift others. This year’s IWD theme, Give to Gain, reflects an undeniable narrative we see across the continent: when women invest in people, systems, and communities, the impact multiplies. These honourees are shaping Africa’s future in ways that will outlive all of us,” she said.

She added that the 2026 edition recognises women whose work strengthens ecosystems and expands opportunity across borders.

ICS Africa is a pan-African ecosystem builder focused on empowering creators, leaders, and communities through storytelling, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.

Below is the full list

Scope & criteria: March 2025 → March 2026 impact; clear alignment with Give to Gain (investing platforms, policy, capital, knowledge, or infrastructure that enable others to thrive).

Multilateral Policy & Public Service

1. Amina J. Mohammed (Nigeria) — UN Deputy Secretary-General
2. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, OBE (Sierra Leone) — Mayor of Freetown
3. Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (Ghana) — Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection; MP
4. Fatima-Zahra Mansouri (Morocco) — Minister; urban development & resilience
5. Zeinab Camara (Guinea) — Governance & public-sector reform leader

Health, Equity & Human Development

6. Winnie Byanyima (Uganda) — Executive Director, UNAIDS
7. Dr. Ayoade (Yodi) Alakija (Nigeria) — Global health & diagnostics access leader
8. Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria) — Founder, LifeBank
9. Dr. Funmi Adewara (Nigeria/UK) — Founder/CEO, MobiHealth
10. Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim (South Africa) — Epidemiologist, HIV prevention
11. Dr. Amel Benammar Elgaaied (Tunisia) — Immunology & cancer research

Climate Action & Environmental Justice

12. Wanjira Mathai (Kenya) — WRI Africa & Global Partnerships
13. Vanessa Nakate (Uganda) — UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; climate justice
14. Elizabeth Wathuti (Kenya) — Founder, Green Generation Initiative
15. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim (Chad) — Indigenous climate & land-rights leader
16. Beth Koigi (Kenya) — Co-founder/CEO, Majik Water
17. Damilola Ogunbiyi (Nigeria) – CEO & UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Co-Chair, UN-Energy
18. Assita Traoré (Côte d’Ivoire) — Deputy Executive Director, FIRCA; climate-finance mobilization & accredited-entity capacity

Technology, Data & Open Science

19. Funke Opeke (Nigeria) — Strategic Advisor, Equinix West Africa; Founder, Main One
20. Rediet Abebe (Ethiopia) — Algorithms & public policy for social good
21. Timnit Gebru (Ethiopia) — Founder/ED, DAIR Institute
22. Abeba Birhane (Ethiopia/Ireland) — AI governance & accountability
23. Catherine Nakalembe (Uganda) — Earth observation for food security
24. Hilda Moraa (Kenya) — Founder/CEO, Pezesha (embedded finance)
25. Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho (Nigeria) — Digital transformation & AI readiness
26. Baratang Miya (South Africa) — Founder, GirlHype (girls in coding)
27. Juliet Ehimuan (Nigeria) — Founder & CEO, Beyond Limits Africa; Africa’s leading digital transformation strategist.

Trade, Markets & Entrepreneurship

28. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) — Director-General, WTO
29. Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria) — Co-founder/COO, PiggyVest; FirstCheck Africa
30. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli (Nigeria) — ONE Campaign CEO; agrifood systems
31. Farida Bedwei (Ghana) — Fintech engineer; disability-inclusion advocate
32. Ethel Cofie (Ghana) — Founder, Women in Tech Africa
33. Caroline Abel (Seychelles) – Financial inclusion champion; first female Central Bank Governor.

Education, Inclusion & Knowledge Systems

34. Sister Deodata Bunzigiye (DRC) — Founder, Collectif Alpha-Ujuvi (literacy & peace)
35. Maria Josephine “Mama” Kamm (Tanzania) — Girls’ education pioneer
36. Caroline Nyaga (Kenya) — Women in STEAM Initiative; teacher leadership
37. Wiem Ben-Mahmoud (Tunisia) — Founder/CEO, KidzRise (AI & early talent)
38. Marwa Soudi (Egypt) — Co-founder, IdeasGym; STEM & responsible AI
39. Dr. Millicent Adjei (Ghana) — Educational equity leader, Ashesi University
40. Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann (Ghana) — Dean, UG Engineering Sciences
41. Dorothy Gordon (Ghana) — UNESCO IFAP; digital rights & responsible AI

Creative Economy, Media & Social Impact

42. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Nigeria) — Founder, OYEP; creative skills & youth
43. Hamisa Mobetto (Tanzania) — Creative entrepreneur & foundation lead
44. Nika Diwa (Nigeria/US) — Inclusive style education; maternal mental health
45. Nana Aba Anamoah (Ghana) — Media leader; Hearts Wide Open Foundation
46. Nana Ama McBrown (Ghana) — Media & philanthropy (education, health)
47. Dr. Ellen Hagan (Ghana) — Co-founder, Legacy Girls’ College; L’AINE Group
48. Dr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng (Ghana) — Vice-Chair, Public Services Commission
49. Ifedayo Agoro (Nigeria) — Founder, Diary of a Naija Girl; digital community builder, women’s empowerment advocate.
50. Peace Hyde (Ghana) — Head of Digital & Partnerships, Forbes Africa