African Women Breaking Barriers: Six Powerhouses Shaping the Continent’s Business Future

Across Africa, women are building empires, redefining industries, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. From Kenya to Angola, Nigeria to Ethiopia, these trailblazers are not only transforming their nations’ economies but also changing the global narrative about what African women can achieve.

HerImpact Africa spotlights six women whose stories of vision and resilience continue to shape the continent’s business landscape and provide evergreen inspiration.

Njeri Rionge — Kenya’s Serial Entrepreneur and Tech Pioneer

The Kenyan businesswoman began her entrepreneurial journey by selling yoghurt from a car trunk to schools in Nairobi, and later worked as a hairdresser before entering the technology sector.
She co-founded Wananchi Online Limited (WOL), one of East Africa’s early mass-market Internet service providers.
Over the years, she has launched multiple ventures including a business consultancy, a digital marketing agency, and a startup incubator placing her among Kenya’s most influential women entrepreneurs.
When she’s not expanding her business interests, she mentors young entrepreneurs demonstrating how to turn early hustle into lasting enterprise.

Folorunsho Alakija — Nigeria’s Multi-Sector Entrepreneur

She then ventured into oil and gas. Her company Famfa Oil Limited secured an oil prospecting licence (OPL 216) in Nigeria, and later attained a significant stake in one of the country’s deep-water fields.
Alakija also leads real-estate and printing businesses, and her philanthropic arm, the Rose of Sharon Foundation, focuses on education and empowerment of widows and orphans.
Her success across fashion, oil, real estate and philanthropy makes her a standout example of diversified enterprise by an African woman.

Sibongile Sambo — South Africa’s Aviation Trailblazer

Hailing from South Africa, Sibongile Sambo founded SRS Aviation, a fully empowered black woman-owned aviation services company. She held degrees from the University of Zululand and Unisa, and started SRS in 2004.
The company offers charter flights (VIP, cargo, tourist), aerial filming, and medical evacuation services.
Recognition for her work includes awards such as the Fidentia Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year.
Her story shows how resilience (after being rejected from a flight attendant job) and strategic vision can redefine industry norms and open doors for women.

Divine Ndhlukula — Zimbabwe’s Security Industry Pioneer

Born on 5 February 1960 in Gutu, Zimbabwe, Dr Divine Simbi Ndhlukula founded SECURICO Security Services in December 1998, starting with a four-employee team and minimal capital.
The company has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s largest security firms, with more than 3,000 employees and recognised ISO 9001 certification.
Ndhlukula has also been featured by Forbes as one of Africa’s most successful women.
Her business demonstrates how to defy gender-norms and build a major company in a male-dominated sector.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu — Ethiopia’s Eco-Innovation Leader

From the Zenabwork area of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu launched soleRebels in 2005, tapping local artisan skills and recycled materials (such as rubber tyre soles) to build a globally distributed footwear brand.
Her work has been recognised by the World Economic Forum for transforming African development narratives from poverty-relief to prosperity-creation.
soleRebels has been Fair-Trade certified and exports to markets worldwide, showing how social entrepreneurship can merge with global business success.

Isabel dos Santos — Angola’s Complex Entrepreneurial Figure

Born on 20 April 1973 (some sources) to former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, Isabel dos Santos studied electrical engineering at King’s College London.
She co-founded the mobile telecom company Unitel SA, which became one of Angola’s largest network providers.
In recent years she has faced significant legal and financial scrutiny: in 2024 the UK imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on her, and a court upheld a £580 million asset-freezing order linked to telecoms litigation.
Her story is complex: a mix of pioneering business moves and serious controversy offering a rich topic for balanced journalism.

At HerImpact Africa, we celebrate such stories not just as success tales, but as blueprints for future generations of women ready to dream bigger, lead boldly, and redefine what’s possible on the continent.

Source: Legit.ng • ThisDay Live • Billionaires.Africa • Mail & Guardian • Sowetan Live • Divine Ndhlukula Official Site • African Business Magazine • World Economic Forum • soleRebels • WhoOwnsAfrica.com • Reuters