ICS Africa Unveils ‘Africa’s Phenomenal 50’ for IWD 2026ICS 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 ServiceAmina J. Mohammed (Nigeria) — UN Deputy Secretary-GeneralYvonne Aki-Sawyerr, OBE (Sierra Leone) — Mayor of FreetownHon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (Ghana) — Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection; MPFatima-Zahra Mansouri (Morocco) — Minister; urban development & resilienceZeinab Camara (Guinea) — Governance & public-sector reform leaderHealth, Equity & Human DevelopmentWinnie Byanyima (Uganda) — Executive Director, UNAIDSDr. Ayoade (Yodi) Alakija (Nigeria) — Global health & diagnostics access leaderTemie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria) — Founder, LifeBankDr. Funmi Adewara (Nigeria/UK) — Founder/CEO, MobiHealthProf. Quarraisha Abdool Karim (South Africa) — Epidemiologist, HIV preventionDr. Amel Benammar Elgaaied (Tunisia) — Immunology & cancer researchClimate Action & Environmental JusticeWanjira Mathai (Kenya) — WRI Africa & Global PartnershipsVanessa Nakate (Uganda) — UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; climate justiceElizabeth Wathuti (Kenya) — Founder, Green Generation InitiativeHindou Oumarou Ibrahim (Chad) — Indigenous climate & land-rights leaderBeth Koigi (Kenya) — Co-founder/CEO, Majik WaterDamilola Ogunbiyi (Nigeria) – CEO & UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Co-Chair, UN-EnergyAssita Traoré (Côte d’Ivoire) — Deputy Executive Director, FIRCA; climate-finance mobilization & accredited-entity capacityTechnology, Data & Open ScienceFunke Opeke (Nigeria) — Strategic Advisor, Equinix West Africa; Founder, Main OneRediet Abebe (Ethiopia) — Algorithms & public policy for social goodTimnit Gebru (Ethiopia) — Founder/ED, DAIR InstituteAbeba Birhane (Ethiopia/Ireland) — AI governance & accountabilityCatherine Nakalembe (Uganda) — Earth observation for food securityHilda Moraa (Kenya) — Founder/CEO, Pezesha (embedded finance)Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho (Nigeria)
Digital transformation & AI readinessBaratang Miya (South Africa) — Founder, GirlHype (girls in coding)Juliet Ehimuan (Nigeria) — Founder & CEO, Beyond Limits Africa; Africa’s leading digital transformation strategist.Trade, Markets & EntrepreneurshipNgozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) — Director-General, WTOOdunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria) — Co-founder/COO, PiggyVest; FirstCheck AfricaNdidi Okonkwo Nwuneli (Nigeria) — ONE Campaign CEO; agrifood systemsFarida Bedwei (Ghana) — Fintech engineer; disability-inclusion advocateEthel Cofie (Ghana) — Founder, Women in Tech AfricaCaroline Abel (Seychelles) – Financial inclusion champion; first female Central Bank Governor.Education, Inclusion & Knowledge SystemsSister Deodata Bunzigiye (DRC) — Founder, Collectif Alpha-Ujuvi (literacy & peace)Maria Josephine “Mama” Kamm (Tanzania) — Girls’ education pioneerCaroline Nyaga (Kenya) — Women in STEAM Initiative; teacher leadershipWiem Ben-Mahmoud (Tunisia) — Founder/CEO, KidzRise (AI & early talent)Marwa Soudi (Egypt) — Co-founder, IdeasGym; STEM & responsible AIDr. Millicent Adjei (Ghana) — Educational equity leader, Ashesi UniversityProf. Elsie Effah Kaufmann (Ghana) — Dean, UG Engineering SciencesDorothy Gordon (Ghana) — UNESCO IFAP; digital rights & responsible AICreative Economy, Media & Social ImpactOmotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Nigeria) — Founder, OYEP; creative skills & youthHamisa Mobetto (Tanzania) —
Creative entrepreneur & foundation leadNika Diwa (Nigeria/US) — Inclusive style education; maternal mental healthNana Aba Anamoah (Ghana) — Media leader; Hearts Wide Open FoundationNana Ama McBrown (Ghana) — Media & philanthropy (education, health)Dr. Ellen Hagan (Ghana) — Co-founder, Legacy Girls’ College; L’AINE GroupDr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng (Ghana) — Vice-Chair, Public Services CommissionIfedayo Agoro (Nigeria) — Founder, Diary of a Naija Girl; digital community builder, women’s empowerment advocate.Peace Hyde (Ghana) — Head of Digital & Partnerships, Forbes Africa
