Business
Africa’s influential women participating in the continents’ growth
(PRNewswire) – The role of Africa’s leading women-such as Diezani Alison-Madueke, Mamphele Ramphele and others, is steadily growing across the continent.
The fact that Africa is fast becoming one of the world’s most important investment destinations is universally acknowledged. The US and emerging economic powerhouses such as China and India are increasing trade and investment in Africa whose economy grew five per cent in 2012 – according to the 2013 Economic Report on Africa. Traditionally an informal labor force, women in many parts of Africa have long been central to sustaining households and local economies.
Over the past two decades, however, African women have been increasingly active in business and politics – occupying senior and C-Level positions in high-profile institutions – and have ultimately made significant contributions to the successes of the continent.
Here is a list of some of Africa’s most successful women:
Diezani Alison-Madueke. Nationality: Nigerian
Diezani Alison-Madueke was Nigeria’s first female Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources. Alison-Madueke is responsible for Nigeria’s oil and gas resources, which provide an estimated 80 percent of the Federal Government’s revenues.
She previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation and later as Minister of Mines and Steel Development. As Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke led the drafting of the Petroleum Industry Bill. Often described as a pioneer of transformational change in Nigeria, Alison-Madueke was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Management Sciences by the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna for her public service, exemplary conduct and impeccable leadership.
She graduated from Howard University, Washington DC, before joining Shell Petroleum Development Corporation where she became the first female Executive Director in Nigeria.
