PHOTOS: Africa's leading women

Folorunsho Alakija

Nigeria's first female billionaire, Folorunsho Alakija dethroned Oprah by becoming the richest black woman in the world in 2012. She peaked at number thirteen in Forbes' 2013 Africa's 50 Richest list with an estimated net worth of between $600 million and $7.3 billion. Alakija has oil to thank for most of her wealth. Initially a fashion designer, Alakija founded the upscale Nigerian fashion label Supreme Stitches. One of her clients was Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida's wife Maryam Babangida who is said to have helped Alakija buy an oil block in 1993. Today, Alekija runs Famfa Oil which has a 60% stake in OML 127. More after cut....









 Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected to be the chairperson of the African Union (AU) in 2012, becoming the first woman to hold the position after beating Jean Ping of Gabon. Dlamini-Zuma had been one of South Africa's longest serving members of parliament having been minister of health, foreign affairs and home affairs before she eventually resigned under her ex-husband Jacom Zuma's leadership.

 
 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Nigeria's Minister of Finance and most notably was one of the managers of the World Bank from 2007 until a failed presidency run in 2012. She was also Nigeria's first female Foreign Minister from 2003 to 2006. Okonjo-Iwaela peaked at number 83 on Forbes' 2013 World's Most Powerful Women list and gained recognition for her role in producing a 6.5% GDP increase in one of Africa's largest economies. She is famed for her stance on fighting corruption and adapting the economy to foreign investment.



 Catherine Samba-Panza

Recently elected as the Central African Republic's interim president Catherine Samba-Panza is under great pressure to restore peace and order in the country which has been marred by sectarian violence. When she was sworn in on the 23 January 2014, Samba-Panza became CAR's first female leader and Africa's third. Dubbed 'Mother Courage', Samba-Panza has a year to make a difference in CAR because elections will be held in early 2015 and as an interim leader she will not be allowed to stand.


Joyce Banda

Inaugurated in April 2012, after the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda became the Malawi's first female president and the second female president on the African continent, much to many a woe. She's famed for her stance in fighting for women's rights and in her first 12 months as President she decriminalised homosexuality and launched a $15-billion Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and Malaria. But her boldest move yet was sacking her entire cabinet in October 2013 amid allegations of widespread corruption in the Malawian government.

 
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Dubbed Liberia's Iron lady, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf paved the way when she became Africa's first elected female head of state after winning a 2005 presidential election. It wasn't an easy road for Johnson Sirleaf who was charged with treason for campaigning against Charles Taylor after she came second to him in the 1997 presidential election. Her 2005 inauguration was attended by the likes of then US First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Johnson Sirleaf was awarded a joint Nobel Peace Prize for her role in 'non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work.' She also peaked at number 87 on Forbes' 2013 World's Most Powerful Women list.