Meet the Ugandan Fashion Designer who styled East Africa’s Got Talent stars Larry Casual, run by bespoke designer, Larry Mukooza is well on the way to becoming the very biggest original/tailor fashion brand in Uganda
Larry Casual, a Ugandan luxury label is celebrating the modern African men with their latest campaign.
“The modern African man is a lover of all things bright, bold and colourful. Those are some of the elements we used to piece this collection together,”
offers Mukooza Martin Larry, the creative director of the brand. With a careful balance of both bright and muted looks, they catered to all men, the conservative one inclusive. “You’ll see a pink suit, and wonder, will an African man wear it?
I’ll say the African man has evolved, he isn’t afraid of wearing a nice suit because it’s pink in colour,” he explains. “But, then again, if it is too bright, you still have a myriad of other options to choose from.” The campaign features an offering of suits; the traditional ones being a perfect choice for grooms, while kaftan suits cater to the wedding guests. “Our wedding culture is changing guests draw just as much attention as the couple whose day they’ve converged to celebrate.”
“We’re offering this modern male guest a befitting outfit to match his taste and class.” “The Larry Casual man is unapologetically African. This, is his way of standing out,” he adds.
The Kampala-based fashion brand, which was founded in 2016, is famous for its tailored to fit suits. Their pieces are simple, but extra, impactful but not loud. The impact being in their clean finishing and detail. “It’s more than just clothing, it’s an experience!”
Kaijuka Abbas, owner, and proprietor of Kai’s Divo Collection is the creative force behind some of the best-dressed celebrities from Bettina Tiana and Malaika Nnyanzi to Winnie Nwagi and Maurice Kirya.
He was named the Best Designer of the Year at the Men’s Fashion Week Nigeria 2019 which took place from the 28th to 29th November 2019 at the Royal Oak Event Center in Lagos.
Kai’s Divo Collection is a Ugandan fashion brand renowned for its unique take on style.
In this chat, Abbas Kaijuka, the creative director of the brand, shares his inspiration for the collection.
What was the starting point for this collection?
This collection was about everything we think men shouldn’t wear. It was birthed out of a conversation I had had with some of my male clients. They were wondering what would happen if I gave them some of our signature dramatic styles to wear.
Men usually come to me for conventional menswear pieces such as suits. Yet, if you’ve been following my brand right from our early days, you know that I’m a rebel when it comes to menswear. In my world, menswear should be more fun and expressive.
Putting the collection together was easy, I worked with most of the fabrics that I usually work with for women’s wear and married some of the styles together, to create a collection that’s bordering gender-neutral.
We see a lot of tulle on pants and jackets, these are soft fabrics usually seen in women’swear.
What was your thought process making men wear tulle?
My work allows me the opportunity to interface with lots of people, both men and women. From my experience, men are way softer than women. You can measure someone’s strength by the number risks they are willing to take. Men are not risk takers when it comes to style. I wanted to showcase the level of risk taking men ought to be at.
We also see a lot of capes, what was the idea behind these?
I’ve always been fascinated by capes. They are the wings that make superheroes such as Superman and Batman fly. In a cape, I see men who are out there saving the planet.
These are generally edgy looks for men. What’s your take on men getting adventurous with shapes and detail?
Like I said, I’d like men to be more adventurous. I’d like men to take more risks. It doesn’t hurt to think out of the usual box.
Kai’s Divo collection
Credits Model: Akram Sempala (signed to @jorammodelmanagement) Photos by @banjiphoto Onset assistants: Isaac Baboki/ Thomas Verk Shot on location at Camouflage
Sudanese Model, Nyakim Gatwech is the latest in the Guinness Book of Records,Nyakim is known for her naturally dark skin color and has been nicknamed the Queen of the Dark, Nyakim has faced self-esteem issues and comments from people who promote bleaching to lighten skin color, but learned to embrace her beauty and pigmentation with love and support from her fans.
While millions of women across the globe are paying the high price for bleaching, Nyakim Gatwech got recognized by the Guinness book of World records for having the darkest skin tone on earth.
The model has graced covers of countless magazines as her alluring and uniquely black yet divine skin tone redefines the very definition of beauty, Nyakim has set the standard for many African ladies who have felt insecure about their different skin tones and whenever she walks the red carpet or runway, she commands the attention of everyone and steals the moment without an apology.
Nyakim Gatwech is best known as a Model. Model known as Queen of the Dark who found acclaim with her distinctive dark complexion. She was born on January 27, 1993 in Sudan. Another model named Shaun Ross shattered beauty expectations in the world of fashion with his skin pigment. She has faced discrimination for her skin since moving to the United States.
[taq_review]
She is one of the successful African Model , She has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on January 27, 1993. She is one of the Richest Model who was born in Sudan.According to Trending Celebs Now, Nyakim Gatwech’s estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & much more details has been updated below. Let’s check, How Rich is Nyakim Gatwech in 2020?
Estimated Net Worth in 2019
$1 Million – $5 Million (Approx.)
Previous Year’s Net Worth (2018)
$100,000 – $1 Million
Annual Salary
Under Review.
Income Source
Primary Income source Model (profession).
According to Boredpanda, African model and fashion icon, who now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nyakim Gatwech she proud and not shame about her melanin, and she makes sure the world is aware. She once said while captioning one of her photos on Instagram that her Chocolate is elegant and she represents a nation of warriors.
Content courtesy of Nairobi fashion hub Digital Team
Thirty-two-year-old Gambian economist Marie Ba used to buy most of her clothes online from British fashion retailer ASOS. But when she wanted to update her closet with some tailored wax print African dresses, she took a chance ordering through Ghana’s KIKI Clothing platform.
“I was looking for something well designed and fitted, and it’s lovely to support brands based in West Africa, while looking quite unique in their pieces,” she says.
Online revenues for the African fashion sector are predicted to grow by over 14% annually over the next four years.
Within five working days the clothes were delivered by DHL from Accra, to her door in Gambia’s largest city, Serekunda. And Ba became part of a growing ecosystem of fashionistas purchasing their clothes within the expanding African e-fashion market.
African fashion has revelled in tremendous media interest recently. Beyoncé helped propel Senegalese designer Sarah Diouf’s Tongoro brand to international fame when the singer wore a patterned dress and wide-leg pants on holiday last year. Naomi Campbell and Alicia Keys are other megastars spotted wearing African-designed clothes.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s clothing and footwear market is worth $31bn, according to Euromonitor. The growth has prompted the expansion of foreign and local brands into the African clothing market. Companies are fulfilling increasing orders from the African diaspora, particularly in Europe and America, while sales of Ankara gowns and African print dresses are also popular among non-African consumers. This has led to the creation of African-based e-fashion platforms.
“We export African culture no matter where you are,” says Malian-born Moulaye Tabouré, the CEO of Afrikrea, an online marketplace that allows users to sell African clothing to over 100 countries. The Abidjan-based tech startup secured an additional $1m funding round in February, money Tabouré says will allow the business to grow its developer team, and expand its mobile technology and marketplace.
The company boasts a minimalist and user-friendly website, and says 5000 designers use its platform. These designers build an online “shop” with digital tools provided by Afrikrea. They then set the prices and communicate directly with customers, who are able to stagger their payments.
Afrikrea then deducts a commission of 10-15% per sale, and says it has facilitated over 4m sales since the company’s 2016 inception. The biggest market is the US, followed by France and the rest of the EU.
“Our target is to get the infrastructure growing, so we get at least 50% of our sellers from Africa,” says Tabouré. “The idea is to get people in Africa to say, ‘Maybe this is the best place to set up my business.’ But the biggest issue is to be able to organise, and sustain the growth.”
E-commerce in sub-Saharan Africa is in its nascent stage but it’s showing enormous potential as smartphones proliferate across one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations.
A 2017 report by Statista estimated the e-commerce sector in Africa generated $16.5bn in revenue that year. The research firm currently predicts that revenue in the sector will reach $27.7bn in 2020 and rise to $47bn by 2024.
Online growth is being driven by the under-35s. Rubab Abdoolla, senior analyst of beauty and fashion at Euromonitor, says the e-commerce sector is being driven by “the increasing number of working mothers who are being supported by rapid adaptation to internet retailing”.
The wider African e-commerce landscape is being pushed by sales in fashion. Statista predicts revenue at $8.3bn in 2020 and projects an annual growth rate of 14.2% between 2020 and 2024. But this expanding e-fashion market faces major challenges.
Overcoming challenges
West Africa is a major cotton-growing region, but its textile industry struggles to compete with cheap clothes made in Asia. Since the 1980s, most of Africa’s textile industries have been wiped out and a generation of skilled workers have been lost.
Textile manufacturing in the region is estimated to have fallen by more than 75% in that time. Transporting clothing within the continent and beyond can be problematic, with expensive export costs and border difficulties.
“The number one business constraint I have is definitely the customs,” says Tabouré. “If African governments would realise the potential of having free trade between African countries, and facilitating customs for people shipping outside of Africa – especially with Europe – then there would be an extremely good advantage.
“In the US, we have an agreement [the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act] that allows us to ship without customs up to $700. If we could have the same agreement with Europe, then that would change the game.”
These challenges are not stopping self-taught Ghanaian designer Felicia Parker. The Afrikrea user is able to sell her La Mode Afrique brand of kente cloth styles and other items to a growing customer base in London, Paris and elsewhere on the continent.
“When an order is placed, DHL will come to pick up the clothing from my door, and take it to most places in the world,” she says.
“The internet has made it really easy for anyone to purchase whatever designs they want, in the comfort of their home and workplace In the next five years, I hope I’ll have a big factory here in Ghana, and shop branches worldwide, that are full of African print fashion.”
“I don’t dress up for women, so why in the hell would I need to learn how to dress to attract women?” is what some of you are probably thinking. You like to dress casually. Jeans and sneakers. Even on dates with women you want to attract. You’re getting a lot of slack on your dress code. And you’re wondering why. Here’s why?
If you’re looking to attract high-quality women into your life, then a phenomenal sense of style is definitely the first major step. And contrary to what you may believe, Kenyan women have very high standards. Higher than most out there.
When she first lays her eyes on you, all she has to guide her decision making is your sense of style. That split second first impression will determine her level of attraction for you. And nothing screams “a quality man ahead!” more than a well thought out fashion sense.
So how do you ensure you dress to attract women? It’s easy. Ensure you have a few basics right.
Color scheme
Armed yourself a basic knowledge of neutral colors, your skin tone, and how these two aspects can be paired with stronger colors to make it all pop. There are 4 neutral colors.
Grey
Black
White
Tan
These colors can be worn with any other colors dependent on your skin tone. Essentially their neutral nature allows them to match perfectly with other bold colors. So for example. grey goes very well with red. It also goes well with blue. What you match it with will depend on your skin tone.
As a rule of thumb, go for some contrast with your dress code. The more light-skinned you are, the darker the shade of clothing. And vice versa.
That one statement piece
Every gentleman should always have that one luxurious statement piece. It could be an Italian fabric dinner jacket. Or a sweet pair of brogues. Maybe even be a high-end Tom Ford fragrance. It doesn’t matter.
All that matters is that it’s a unique standout piece that is not common in any way.
The 3 major advantages of a statement piece are:
They can be great conversation starters at functions, social events, and dates.
They tend to leave a powerful lasting impression on the women in question. You’ll linger in their thoughts long after the two of you have parted.
Because they are so powerful at creating attraction in women, they tend to bring back old flames. They do so by turning you into an entirely new you. As highlighted below.
https://youtu.be/GgaDW0zJ6bM
There you have it. A brief guide on how to dress to attract Kenyan women.
Joy Yamusangie and Ronan Mckenzie Embrace Movement Through Mythology, The artists discuss “WATA,” their new film exploring African ancestral myths and the power of community.
Photographer Ronan Mckenzie and mixed-media artist Joy Yamusangie have always bonded over an instinctual connection to the color blue. Both London-based, they continually crossed paths in the city’s creative circles, finding themselves drawn to each other’s work. Soon conversation gave way to collaboration trading artworks, photographs, films, and music revealed another shared fascination: water.
They discussed the importance of “looking back to those who came before”, and eventually Yamusangie suggested they take a look at the story of Mami Wata, an old ancestral myth rooted in traditions of the African diaspora. It became a point of entry for this film, made in partnership with Gucci. WATA, Yamusangie explains, is centered on “the stories that we have heard and how those stories directly reflect us and our lives, as people and as artists.”
Mami Wata is a water spirit, who according to lore is often seen carrying expensive baubles like combs, watches, and coins. Her most prized object is a mirror, which serves as a conduit for time travel, movement from the present into the future. Those who gaze into this mirror are magically empowered to manifest their deepest desires.
“Opening in deep blue, our film introduces the dynamic between ‘Mami Wata’ and ‘The Musician’, who is enticed by Mami Wata’s jewels,” says Mckenzie. While working on the film, both artists were thrilled to learn more about how their storytelling practices intersect, knowing already that they shared similar “sensitive tendencies toward color,” explains Yamusangie, whose paintings informed some of the scene compositions.
The two thought a great deal about how they might translate the force of water visually. They decided to cast a crew of dancers, “Wata Souls”, to bring the element to life. They worked with Abdourahman Nije, a choreographer whose passionate, pulsating approach to movement helped them communicate as a unified force. There was plenty of rehearsal, but on the day of the shoot Nije invited them to “forget everything they’ve learned, and just let it flow.”
“What intrigued us most were the stories people told after interacting with Mami Wata, claiming to have experienced improved health and increased wealth. We were interested in the ‘disappearance chapter’ where no-one seemed to know exactly what had happened, just that their lives were somewhat better after the interaction,” says Yamusangie.
They interpreted this “disappearance chapter” as “a dream and confrontation,” with previous generations as Yamusangie puts it, adding “for us, these moments symbolize a respectful regard for our origins and ancestry, they are us accepting these histories and using them as a means for connecting with each other. [It is] a celebration and appreciation of our rich culture and African heritage, our freedom of experimentation, our lives in London.”
Both directors were delighted to see how much this story resonated with the rest of their team, especially music supervisor Melo-Zed, who alongside Roxanne Tataei, Birame Seck and Boofti composed an original score for the film. It’s about “us sharing and connecting with those around us, and enjoying creating newness inspired by what’s passed,” says Yamusangie.
They felt truly aligned after hearing “the horns, the elongated introductions, the rhythm switches and how the music didn’t adhere to a set structure but created its own,” shares Mckenzie, describing a logic that drives every aspect of the film. “Everyone had their own personal interpretations and connections, creating their own small stories within the larger one.” Their ultimate accomplishment was creating space for community, says Yamusangie. “It was more than just a collaboration between the two of us.”
The hope is that WATA will be the first of many shared projects; they are currently developing a joint exhibition featuring their respective mediums. “Collaborating in this way being artists from completely different practices has allowed us to learn about each other’s processes.” Even though, as Yamusangie says, they’ve “always translated our intent in contrasting ways,” they enjoyed negotiating those differences and discovering their similarities.
Mckenzie agrees, adding “We’ve allowed the knowledge within our respective fields to flow between us and bond to create this moving image art piece that we feel represents us both in strength and in equality. Our film is about appreciation, communication and sharing, and our collaboration is a testament to the very bones of what makes up WATA.”
Credit
Written & Directed by Joy Yamusangie and Ronan Mckenzie Produced by Julie Vergez Cinematography by Beatriz Sastre Movement Direction by Abdourahman Nije Talents Rudzani Moleya as ‘Mami Wata’, Abdourahman Nije as ‘The Musician’, Alison Letang, Andre Atangana, Jordan Clarke, Kirk Reid, Miranda Chambers, Prince & Majesty, Treasure Iyamu as ‘Wata Souls, Guest Appearances by Roxanne Tataei, Melo-Zed & Boofti Music Supervision by Melo-Zed Music Composition & Production Melo-Zed, Roxanne Tataei Vocalists Biram Seck, Roxanne Tataei Saxophonist Boofti Casting Tytiah Blake / Unit-C Styling & Costume Design Tess Herbert Production Design Sophie Durham Make-Up Artist Megumi Matsuno Hair Stylists Shamara Roper, Russie Miessi Editor Maxim Young Colourist Jason Wallis at Electric Theatre Company Post-Producer at Electric Theatre Company Oliver Whitworth VFX Artist Gaspar Matheron (Les Fistons), Alexandra Verhaest, Stefan Wähner Post-Producer at Les Fistons Arthur De Seze First Assistant Director Elle Lotherington Third Assistant Director Jens Klit Nielsen Production Coordinator Ayesha McMahon Production Assistants Ourania Mamalis, Mantenso Kotomah Runner Yasmin Tippett Steadicam Andrew Bainbridge Focus Puller JJ Sullivan Clapper-Loader Ashton Born Gaffer Joe Sherno Sparks Jovan Lawrence, Jon Prentice Spark Trainees George Wright, Shaun Witherup Grip Nick Teulon Grip Trainee Bradley Sinclair Wardrobe Assistants Lulu Bullock, Stephanie Aelbrecht Assistant Art Directors Alexander Scott, David Murray, James Findlay Make-Up Assistants Lisa Chau, Juri Nakayama, Manabu Nobuoka Hair Stylist Assistant Shanice Buckley Production Company Cadence Paris Executive Producer Carole Guenebeaud Production Coordinator Alice Du Lac Production Company Julie Machin LTD
Getting inspiration from the recent don’t rush challenge? King Sidney decided to do a unique rendition of their own.
As usual, they didn’t follow the rules and tried to make it as creative as possible.
The entrepreneur slips in and out of different designer jacket outfits. He uses his pocket square to transition between each outfit. He does so with some swag. And very calmly bounces to the mellow, yet perfectly-fitting Lil Wayne soundtrack in the back.
Here it is. The entrepreneur Kenyan men’s edition of the popular don’t rush challenge.
David Avido Ochieng was born and raised in Kibera, Nairobi. As the firstborn in a family raised by a single mum, he had to take responsibility early. Dropping out of school, because money was short, he started to work long hours – without any hope that his paycheck will ever be enough to support his three siblings and mother the way they deserve.
Frustrated, he quit his jobs and reflected on what he wants from life and what is holding him back. Was it Kibera? People have strong opinions on this place, but most of them have never come here. Avido never felt that coming from Kibera was something to be sorry for. The opposite was the case. Kibera inspired him.
“There is no barrier,if you believe in your talent and take the next step, I want to encourageand create beauty,where people don’t expect.” ~ David Avido ~
This awareness is what started the lookslike avido story in 2017, when Avido decided to sew stage outfits for his dance crew himself. Through finishing his fashion & design diploma at Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts, he developed a solid skill set to grow as a designer. He took it from there and started expressing his message through crafting handmade pieces in Kibera.
By word of mouth, a diverse set of people in Nairobi soon got to know the designer and tailor with his iconic straw hat. Ruven came on board a German, who came to Nairobi to work and explore the city’s scene of creatives and start-ups. Cooperations with international musicians followed and lookslike avido received attention from Kenyan and international media.
Cologne in Germany became the service and distribution centre for lookslike avido fashion in Europe. The city celebrates diversity, is a centre for creative industries and a great location to reach people all over Europe and world wide.
David Avido Imapact on his Community
Our goal is to localize our sourcing to the maximum and become 100% organic, By becoming part of the lookslike avido-story, you make Kibera proud and create opportunities: We currently hire 12 local tailors (7 female, 5 male) on assignment basis. Fair remunerations are self-evident. Permanent employment is our goal, including pension payments and health insurance
We are part of the community
Schoolfees for 10 pupils in 2019: lookslike avido supports young students
13 school uniforms in 2019: lookslike avido provides school uniforms to kids that can’t afford them
150 youths mentored (2019): Youths want to know more about David Avido. We engage in mentoring youths from neighbourhoods like Kibera, to help them focus on their talents
3 compound cleaning activities (2019): We regularly organize compound cleaning activities to make Kibera a cleaner place
100% of our fabric is used. All left-overs are processed to shopper bags or donated to tailoring classes in the area
Our packaging and logistics in Europe are climate-neutral. We use recycled materials, where possible. You won’t find plastic in your LLA-box
100% of our profit is re-invested into localizing the value chain
Content courtesy of Lookslike Avido & Nairobi fashion hub
Erika Akoth owner and founder of Erika A. Style Concept store, has worn many hats she is an avid traveler, a keen collector, a fashion curator, a stylist, and a former designer and model. She has traveled the world, carefully collecting each piece that features at the store, from a variety of runways, designers, and craftsmen and women.
Erika A. Style has a keen eye for detail and beauty, and it matters that each collected and curated piece tells a story.
Erika Akoth is the curator behind the brand. She is a fashion and personal stylist, multi-label fashion curator and high end personal shopper. Erika has been involved in the fashion industry for more than twelve years. During this time, she has worked as a personal stylist, modeled for a variety of high-fashion projects and shopped for a range of private clients around the world.
She now owns and runs Erika A. Style, a luxury fashion concept store, in her home country, Kenya.
Akoth studied culinary arts but while she enjoyed cooking, she was also tired of the daily routine of creating in the background she wanted something bigger and more fulfilling. She soon discovered that fashion was her missing ingredient.
Her love for food still informs her creative sense for fashion, and she believes that the secret to good fashion like good cooking lies with knowing how much is needed.
Scarabs are Erika A’s statement piece. She credits this to Steve Tyler whom she met at an event once, trying to get an autograph after one of his events. Tyler’s words to her on seeing her Scarab piece were, ‘what a beautiful statement piece!”
Erika has since worn them to many more events, believing they are her lucky charm. She enjoys curating clothes, collecting art, decorating spaces and creating beauty in as many spheres as she can.
Content courtesy of Erika A. Style & Nairobi fashion hub
Erika Akoth is the founder and C.E.O of Erika A. Style is a fashion concept store located in leavy suburb of Karen off Bogani In Nairobi
The concept store has a variety of unique pieces collected from different parts of the world, the pieces are curated from luxury brands, fashion runways, designer stores, small boutiques and upcoming designers. Each piece is the only one of its kind, and once sold out, will not be re-stocked.
Personal stylist Erika Akoth at her Karen shop
Erika Akoth owner and founder of Erika A. Style Concept store, has worn many hats she is an avid traveler, a keen collector, a fashion curator, a stylist, and a former designer and model. She has traveled the world, carefully collecting each piece that features at the store, from a variety of runways, designers, and craftsmen and women. Erika A. Style has a keen eye for detail and beauty, and it matters that each collected and curated piece tells a story.
The store offers a range of items from the fashion world: jewelry, clothes, shoes, hats and a variety of accessories including hats, scarfs and brooches. Erika A. Style’s signature piece is the Scarab and the store also features an eclectic range of scarab pieces including brooches, necklaces, printed scarves, rings and wrist bangles.
Erika A. Style Concept Store has been open since 2017. The store is located on Karen Road, off Bogani in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates on appointment only and clients are requested to call or email to make an appointment before visiting.
Content courtesy of Erika A. Style & Nairobi fashion hub
The creativity of the fashion advertising industry in Kenya is on the rise exponentially.
Granted, it’s still way behind that of Europe. It has, however, begun to show signs of promise. And nowhere is that promise more prevalent than in the Kenyan luxury fashion industry.
From inspirational to funny, here are a few examples of creative advertising within the luxury fashion industry in Kenya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGImCsHAZ9g
An interesting inspirational twist on what would ordinarily be a plain makeover. And below, we have a play on the minimal time period most ads tend to be allocated.
This is a first-of-its-kind Pan-African unranked compilation of the continent’s leading women, drawn from business, politics, media, science, sports and public life, who are challenging the status quo and creating a trail on terrain where there was none.
Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women By Forbes Woman Africa Magazine
They are reshaping history, closing inequalities and pioneering new avenues of wealth creation and in turn, lifting others with them.
The unprecedented, unranked list features the continent’s leading women, drawn from business, politics, media, science, sports and public life, who are challenging the status quo and creating a trail on terrain where there was none. They are reshaping history, closing inequalities and pioneering new avenues of wealth creation and in turn, lifting others with them.
NAME
COUNTRY
TITLE
SECTOR
GRACA MACHEL
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER, GRACA MACHEL TRUST
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
CLARE AKAMANZI
RWANDA
CEO, RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT/GOVERNANCE
FOLORUNSO ALAKIJA
NIGERIA
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR, FAMFA OIL
OIL SECTOR
JENNIFER RIRIA
KENYA
GROUP CEO, ECHO NETWORK AFRICA (ENA); FOUNDING MEMBER, KENYA WOMEN FINANCE TRUST
FINANCE
LOUISE MUSHIKIWABO
RWANDA
SECRETARY GENERAL, ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE (OIF)
AYA CHEBBI
TUNISIA
BLOGGER AND AFRICA UNION YOUTH ENVOY
MEDIA
ELSIE KANZA
TANZANIA
HEAD OF AFRICA AND MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
FINANCE
IBUKUN AWOSIKA
NIGERIA
FOUNDER AND CEO, THE CHAIR CENTRE GROUP
MANUFACTURING
DR JUDY DLAMINI
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER, MBEKANI GROUP
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
CHARLIZE THERON
SOUTH AFRICA
HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS
ENTERTAINMENT
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
NIGERIA
AUTHOR, PUBLIC SPEAKER
PUBLISHING
PHUTI MAHANYELE-DABENGWA
SOUTH AFRICA
CEO, NASPERS SOUTH AFRICA
TECHNOLOGY
OBIAGELI ‘OBY’ EZEKWESILI
NIGERIA
SENIOR ECONOMIC ADVISOR, AFRICA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY INITIATIVE (AEDPI)
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
GLENDA GRAY
SOUTH AFRICA
PRESIDENT AND CEO, SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (SAMRC)
HEALTHCARE
THULI MADONSELA
SOUTH AFRICA
LAW TRUST CHAIR, SOCIAL JUSTICE RESEARCH AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
LAW
WENDY LUHABE
SOUTH AFRICA
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR & CO-FOUNDER, WIPHOLD
FINANCE
ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO
BENIN
FOUR-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
ENTERTAINMENT
MANAL ROSTOM
EGYPT
FOUNDER, SURVIVING HIJAB AND FACE OF NIKE PRO HIJAB
HEALTH AND FITNESS
LYDIA NSEKERA
BURUNDI
PRESIDENT, NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (NOC) OF BURUNDI AND MEMBER OF FIFA COUNCIL
SPORT/GOVERNANCE
WINNIE BYANYIMA
UGANDA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNAIDS
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA
NIGERIA
CHAIR, BOARD OF THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR VACCINES AND IMMUNISATION (GAVI)
HEALTHCARE
PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA
SOUTH AFRICA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED NATIONS (UN) WOMEN
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
WARIS DIRIE
SOMALIA
PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, DESERT FLOWER FOUNDATION
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF
LIBERIA
FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE
GOVERNANCE
YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA
SOUTH AFRICA
AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN
ENTERTAINMENT
SAHLE-WORK ZEWDE
ETHIOPIA
PRESIDENT OF ETHIOPIA
GOVERNANCE
MAMOKGETHI (KGETHI) PHAKENG
SOUTH AFRICA
VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN (UCT)
EDUCATION
REBECCA ENONCHONG
CAMEROON
FOUNDER & CEO, APPSTECH
TECHNOLOGY
BONANG MATHEBA
SOUTH AFRICA
MEDIA PERSONALITY, ENTREPRENEUR
ENTERTAINMENT
FATMA SAMOURA
SENEGAL
SECRETARY-GENERAL, FIFA
SPORT
IRENE CHARNLEY
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER, SMILE COMMUNICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY
UCHENNA ‘UCHE’ PEDRO
NIGERIA
FOUNDER AND CEO, BELLANAIJA
MEDIA
ILWAD ELMAN
SOMALIA
FOUNDER, ELMAN PEACE CENTRE
ACTIVISM
WENDY APPELBAUM
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER AND CHAIRPERSON, DE MORGENZON WINE ESTATE
ENTREPRENEUR
OLAJUMOKE ADENOWO
NIGERIA
FOUNDER, AD CONSULTING
ADVERTISING
BETHLEHEM TILAHUN ALEMU
ETHIOPIA
FOUNDER AND CEO, SOLEREBELS FOOTWEAR, GARDEN OF COFFEE, TEFFTASTIC
ENTREPRENEUR
NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA
SOUTH AFRICA
MINISTER OF COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, SOUTH AFRICA
GOVERNANCE
WENDY ACKERMAN
SOUTH AFRICA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PICK ‘N PAY
RETAIL
CASTER SEMENYA
SOUTH AFRICA
OLYMPIC CHAMPION
SPORT
RAWYA MANSOUR
EGYPT
FOUNDER AND CEO, RAMSCO
AGRICULTURE
ARUNMA OTEH
NIGERIA
ACADEMIC SCHOLAR, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD FORMER TREASURER AND VICE PRESIDENT, WORLD BANK LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE AFRICA ADVISORY GROUP MEMBER
FINANCE
FATOU BENSOUDA
GAMBIA
PROSECUTOR, INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)
LAW
HAJER SHARIEF
LIBYA
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE
ACTIVISM
AMINA J. MOHAMMED
NIGERIA
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
PRECIOUS MOTSEPE
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER, AFRICAN FASHION INTERNATIONAL
FASHION
LUPITA NYONG’O
KENYA
OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR
ENTERTAINMENT
VERA SONGWE
CAMEROON
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
MAGDA WIERZYCKA
SOUTH AFRICA
FOUNDER, SYGNIA
FINANCE
TARA FELA-DUROTOYE
NIGERIA
FOUNDER, HOUSE OF TARA INTERNATIONAL
BEAUTY
THERESA KACHINDAMOTO
MALAWI
CHIEF OF DEDZA DISTRICT
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Forbes Africa research looked at Africa’s leading women across sectors and industries, as well as government agencies and non-profit institutions. We sifted through several recognition lists, conducted Forbes Africa own research in coming up with new names, and short-listed nominations that came in from Forbes Africa editorial teams across Africa, applying our own metrics of leadership, influence, consistency, and most importantly, impact. In addition to this list, this issue also features an important story on the effect of the coronavirus on corporate Africa.
Also in the focus section, a story on the future of African mining. And a tennis match on African soil that brought together two legends and the world’s second-richest man.
