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| Botswana's Rapelang Rabana |
International campaigning and advocacy organization, ONE compiled a list of leading African women in development. The list represents categories in line with, agriculture. education, economic empowerment, energy, health, nutrition, technology and transparency and accountability.
Over the past years, ONE's core purpose focuses on taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa and hopes to eliminate poverty by 2030.
The following women are at the forefront where development on the continent is concerned.
Education
Rapelang Rabana of Botswana, an innovator transforming the way students learn by using technology to provide tools for measuring performance and encouraging information retention. Her online training and education company Rekindle Learning uses pedagogical theory on how students learn to pioneer solutions for achievement.
Economic empowerment
Wendy Luhabe, a South African businesswoman and entrepreneur sets an example for women’s economic empowerment. A former director of the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) and chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, she also co-founded Women’s Investment Portfolio Holdings Limited (WIPOLD), the first female owned company listed on the JSE.
Energy
Joycee Awojoodu, a Nigerian energy advocate, has committed herself to helping advance solutions for reliable energy in her country. In her role at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and within the Federal Ministry of Power.
Health
Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, the current Minister of Health for Rwanda, has been instrumental in championing health systems transformation in her country.
Nutrition
Dr. Ruth Oniang’o is an influential figure championing the need for better nutrition for mothers and children. A member of Kenya’s parliament from 2003-2007 and an internationally acclaimed professor, she has worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others. She has been instrumental in showcasing the work of African researchers in nutrition through and founded the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development.
Technology
Judith Owigar, Linda Kamau, Marie Githinji, and Angela Odour are co-founders of Akirachix and leaders in Kenya’s tech industry with a commitment to ensuring that the poorest young women in Nairobi have access to information and communications technology.
Transparency and accountability
Ms. Winifred Ngabiirwe from Uganda is the Executive Director for Global Rights Alert and Chairperson of Publish What You Pay Uganda. She leads 40 member organizations in an advocacy coalition aimed at raising awareness about the extractives sector in Uganda.
Source: ONE.org