Folake Soetan is the Chief Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution company, which serves over a million customers across six business units in Lagos and …
Leadership
-
-
CEO's LoungeFinanceFinancial InclusionLeadershipPolicyPolicymakersWomen in Banking
Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye, the woman driving growth Rwanda’s apex bank.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesOn February 25, 2025, Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye made history when she was appointed Governor and Chairperson of the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR). She became the first woman …
-
BusinessExclusiveFemale TechfoundersInnovationLeadershipWomen in Construction
MaterialsPro—How Ejide Akinbiyi moved to solve Nigeria’s building woes.
The Nigerian construction industry is worth billions, but remains plagued by substandard materials. According to a report by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), over 271 buildings collapsed …
-
HealthLeadershipMaternal HealthSocial Impact
Isabella Epiu is aggressively curbing maternal mortality across East Africa.
Dr. Isabella Epiu is the first female PhD anesthesiologist in East Africa. She is a researcher, an academic, and the founder of Health Solutions International, a healthcare NGO …
-
African BusinesswomanCEO's LoungeLeadershipTransportationWomen in Aviation
Yvonne Manzi Makolo leads RwandAir’s strategic global expansion.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesYvonne Manzi Makolo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RwandAir, is one of the few exceptional leaders in Africa’s aviation sector. Her leadership has made the airline a …
-
African BusinesswomanBusinessCEO's LoungeFinanceWomen in Banking
How Diane Karusisi drives the Bank of Kigali’s multidimensional change.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesFew leaders have reshaped Rwanda’s financial landscape as decisively as Diane Karusisi. Since becoming CEO of the Bank of Kigali (BK) in 2016, she has driven a bold …
-
African BusinesswomanBusinessFemale EntrepreneursYouth Empowerment
Oríkì Group—how Joycee Awosika built Nigeria’s top luxury wellness spa.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesJoycee Awosika, founder and CEO of ORÍKÌ Group, has introduced a structured model to Nigeria’s luxury wellness space. She has carved out a unique space in Nigeria’s beauty …
-
CEO's LoungeClimate actorsClimate ChangeImpactLeadershipLeadership DevelopmentSocial Impact
Meet Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Nigerian accelerating global clean energy transition.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesNigeria’s Damilola Ogunbiyi is a multidimensional leader on the global stage. In January 2020, she assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sustainable Energy for All …
-
African BusinesswomanBusinessCircular EconomyClimate actorsFemale EntrepreneursYouth Empowerment
Moli & Mela Group—How two South African women built a thriving recycling business.
Two childhood friends turned business partners, Tshego Molefi and Ofentse Melato-Dube, are transforming South Africa’s waste into opportunities through Moli & Mela Group. The duo leads an all-women, …
-
CEO's LoungeDevelopmental FinanceLeadershipLeadership DevelopmentSocial Impact
Ethiopia’s Nardos Bekele-Thomas drives change at the AUDA-NEPAD.
by Faith Jamesby Faith JamesNardos Bekele-Thomas is an Ethiopian development expert of great distinction. She leads the African Union Development Agency during a period when Africa faces both ongoing structural challenges and …