Africa boasts several remarkable women leading major businesses across the continent. These trailblazing women excel in their respective sectors and have driven their companies to exceptional growth.
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1. Nompumelelo Zikalala (South Africa)
Nompumelelo Zikalala is the CEO of Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed leadership development at the London Business School.
Over her 20-year career at De Beers, Zikalala held senior operational and commercial roles, becoming the first female GM in 2007. She served as GM at Voorspoed Mine, Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines, and MD of De Beers Group Managed Operations, overseeing South African and Canadian operations. Listed among the Top 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining in 2018, Zikalala is passionate about involving women and youth in the industry.
Under her leadership, Kumba Iron Ore has seen significant growth. In 2023, the company reported a net profit of $1.58 billion and a 16.5% increase in revenues to $4.57 billion.
2. Mpumi Madisa (South Africa)
Mpumi Madisa is the CEO of Bidvest Group, a South African services, trading, and distribution company. She is the first black and African female appointed CEO of this JSE-listed company.
Madisa earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics, a BComm Honours degree in Economics, and a Master’s in Finance and Investment from Wits University.
Joining Bidvest during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully steered the company to a 15% increase in profits. Before becoming CEO, Madisa served in various roles, including Group Sales and Marketing Director and Executive Director.
3. Bertina Engelbrecht (South Africa)
Bertina Engelbrecht became the CEO of Clicks Group in 2022. Under her leadership, Clicks has achieved impressive turnover and profit growth, expanded its retail network, and acquired its first 24-hour pharmacy, with ambitious expansion plans for 2023.
Engelbrecht joined Clicks as an HR director and rose through the ranks to become CEO. Before Clicks, she held leadership roles at Shell SA Energy, Shell Oil Products Africa, and Sea Harvest.
Engelbrecht holds a Master’s in Law from the University of Cape Town.
4. Dr. Nombasa Tsengwa (South Africa)
Dr. Nombasa Tsengwa is the CEO of Exxaro Resources, a mining and renewable energy company. With over two decades in the mining industry, Tsengwa has held various leadership positions within the company, including heading coal operations and leading the minerals business.
Under her leadership, Exxaro has embraced sustainable and responsible mining practices, focusing on reducing its carbon footprint, promoting clean energy, and conserving biodiversity.
She has received several accolades, including the Standard Bank Business Woman of the Year award in 2017 and being named Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in the Mining Industry at the 2018 Pan African Awards.
5. Albertinah Kekana (South Africa)
Albertinah Kekana is the CEO of Royal Bafokeng Holdings, the investment arm of Royal Bafokeng Nation.
Over her 20-year career, she has held executive and non-executive positions across various sectors, including mining, financial services, oil and gas, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and energy.
Kekana has extensive experience in investment banking at Rothschild and UBS, where she served as a corporate finance director. She also served as COO at the Public Investment Corporation.
Moreover, Kekana sits on the Board of Directors at Transaction Capital Ltd., OUTsurance Group Ltd., and Rand Merchant Bank Holdings.
She earned her commerce degree from the University of Cape Town and completed advanced management training at Harvard.
Under her leadership, Royal Bafokeng Holdings has become a powerful, diversified investment entity.
6. Miriam Chidiebele Olusanya (Nigeria)
Miriam Chidiebele Olusanya is the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Holding Company, the first woman to hold this position. She has a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from the University of Liverpool.
Olusanya joined GTB as an executive trainee in 1998 and has risen through the ranks, holding leadership positions such as Group Treasurer and Head of Wholesale Banking.
7. Jane Karuku (Kenya)
Jane Karuku is the Group Managing Director and CEO of East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
Under her leadership, EABL saw a 15% year-over-year increase in net sales in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. She also led the company to publish its inaugural Sustainability Report and launched initiatives like a $5 million pub/bar recovery fund.
Karuku holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Marketing from the National University of California.
Previously, she was the Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited and held positions at Telkom Kenya and Cadbury East and Central Africa.
Karuku also serves as Chairperson of the Kenya COVID-19 Fund, Chairperson of Kenya’s Vision 2030 Board, a Trustee at the United States International University (USIU), and a board member at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
