Ghana's first female Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and award-winning songstress, Wiyala have been named among the 2024 list of the 100 Most Influential African Women, published by Avance Media, Africa’s leading PR and rating firm.

They were identified for their extraordinary achievements in breaking barriers in their respective fields and inspiring transformational change across the continent.

The list contained outstanding women leaders from 32 African countries and highlights the diversity and impact of African women leaders, with Nigeria leading with 22 honorees, followed by Kenya with 12, South Africa with 7, and Rwanda with 5.

It featured two female Presidents, six female Vice Presidents, a Prime Minister, a Deputy United Nations Secretary-General, and a Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The honorees span from the sectors of business, diplomacy, governance, entertainment, media, sports, philanthropy, and more.

These achievements represent a historic milestone for women in leadership across the continent and in global governance, highlighting Africa as a rising force for gender equity and empowerment.

Among the top honorees were Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of Tanzania, Angélique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning artist and activist, Fariba Nabourema Togolese activist and Bitcoin advocate, and Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, the CEO of Merck Foundation.

The Founder of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, emphasized that the publication aims to promote gender equality and recognize women’s contributions to Africa’s progress.

“By amplifying the stories of these influential women, we seek to inspire policy shifts, organizational reforms, and grassroots efforts to empower women and girls.”

“Selection for the 2024 list was based on criteria such as excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, a commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and exemplifying the qualities of an accomplished African woman”, he said.

The comprehensive profiles of the 2024 100 Most Influential African Women can be accessed at 100women.avancemedia.org.