The 54Women 54Nations Project invites organizations to partner in empowering women across Africa’s 54 nations. Through collaboration, partners can support leadership, entrepreneurship, and storytelling that amplify women’s voices. Opportunities include sponsorships, training, mentorship, and CSR initiatives. Together, we highlight inspiring African women, drive inclusion, and create lasting social impact—empowering one woman, inspiring a nation, and transforming Africa’s future.
We are guided by Agenda 2063, driven by Women, and Powered by Community
Meet the Team.
Modupe ‘Mo’ Adara
CO-FOUNDER Strategic Vision & Media Partnerships
Josephine Murphy
CO-FOUNDER Policy & Partnerships Development
Joy Ijezue
TECHNICAL MANAGER Program Coordinator
PARTNERING WITH US
Ways to Partner With Us:
01
Program Development
Support leadership training, mentorship programs, or thematic workshops
02
Content & Media Collaboration
Co-produce cultural or advocacy content with Afroculture Media
03
Capacity Building
Provide access to platforms, resources, or subject-matter expertise
04
Joint Campaigns & Events
Co-host panel sessions, roundtables, or regional activations
05
Amplification & Advocacy
Share our stories and elevate visibility within your networks
Strenght.
Honoring the African Women whose strength and legacy help us rise
This project, 54Women54Nations, is empowered by women whose courage and vision created the very paths we walk on today.
Be Inspired
You could be next!
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia and Africa’s first democratically elected female Head of State, is a global symbol of resilience, transformational leadership, and the power of women in governance. Her decades-long commitment to democracy, peacebuilding, and economic reform earned her the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, making her one of the continent’s most influential advocates for women’s rights. Sirleaf’s leadership legacy—rooted in courage, accountability, and social progress—serves as a blueprint for empowering women across Africa.
For the 54Women54Nations project, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf represents the highest standard of what African women can achieve when given opportunity, visibility, and influence. Her story inspires emerging leaders, affirming that women can lead nations, shape policy, and drive continental development. Her involvement—whether through mentorship, advocacy, or symbolic representation—adds credibility, historical depth, and global recognition to the project’s mission of spotlighting exceptional women from every African country.
Rose Mukantabana, the first female Speaker of Rwanda’s Chamber of Deputies, is a groundbreaking figure in African governance and gender equity. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career as a human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Rwandan Women Lawyers Association, advocating for women, children, and vulnerable groups. Her leadership in parliament came at a time when Rwanda was transforming its governance model, and she played a pivotal role in strengthening legal frameworks that protect citizens and promote social justice. Mukantabana is widely recognized for her commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, and institutional reform.
For 54Women54Nations, Rose Mukantabana represents the success of deliberate gender policies and the power of women-led legislative transformation. Her experience demonstrates how structural reforms and strong legal institutions create opportunities for women to thrive in public service. Her involvement would inspire participants by emphasizing the importance of justice, representation, and policy-driven empowerment across Africa.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is one of Africa’s most influential political leaders, serving as a former African Union Commission Chairperson and a long-time minister in South Africa’s government. Her portfolio has spanned Health, Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Cooperative Governance, where she introduced groundbreaking reforms and strengthened continental collaboration. As AU Chairperson, she shaped Agenda 2063, emphasizing Africa’s self-reliance, youth empowerment, and gender inclusion. Her leadership style combines diplomacy, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to African development.
Her relevance to 54Women54Nations is enormous. Dlamini-Zuma symbolizes continental leadership and the ability of African women to shape policy at the highest global levels. Her legacy encourages women to see themselves as architects of Africa’s political future. Her guidance would help the project articulate a powerful pan-African vision, while her experience offers participants invaluable mentorship on governance, negotiation, and strategic leadership in international institutions.
Dr Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi and one of Africa’s most respected female leaders, has dedicated her career to social justice, women’s empowerment, and grassroots development. Before becoming president, she founded several organizations, including the National Association of Business Women and the Joyce Banda Foundation, which provides education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to marginalized communities. Her leadership emphasized maternal health, poverty reduction, and restoring Malawi’s international credibility. Banda has received global recognition for her humanitarian work, making her a sought-after speaker, advocate, and development strategist.
Her importance to 54Women54Nations lies in her deep connection to community development and women’s economic empowerment. Joyce Banda represents leadership that is compassionate, accessible, and grounded in long-term social impact. She demonstrates that African women can rise from community-level activism to global influence. Her mentorship and advocacy would inspire participants to lead boldly while staying connected to the people and causes that matter most.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former Nigerian Finance Minister, is globally celebrated for her economic expertise, anti-corruption reforms, and leadership in international development. As Nigeria's first female Finance Minister, she spearheaded economic restructuring, debt relief negotiations, and fiscal transparency measures that improved national governance. At the World Bank, she built a strong reputation for innovation and poverty reduction. Her appointment as the first African and first woman to lead the WTO solidified her status as a global icon of effective leadership.
For 54Women54Nations, Okonjo-Iweala represents excellence, integrity, and the highest standards of global leadership. She shows that African women can influence world trade, shape global policies, and redefine international development. Her journey inspires women to pursue technical fields, build credibility, and lead with boldness and transparency. Her involvement would give the project a powerful symbol of African capability on the world stage.
Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius and an internationally respected biodiversity scientist, is widely admired for blending scientific innovation with high-level leadership. As a researcher, she documented and promoted Africa’s medicinal plants, contributing to global scientific knowledge and environmental advocacy. Her presidency emphasized education, sustainable development, and innovation-driven economic growth. She has received numerous awards for promoting STEM education and supporting women in science.
Her presence in 54Women54Nations is deeply significant. Gurib-Fakim represents an essential sector—STEM—where African women remain underrepresented but highly capable. Her achievements show that science and leadership can co-exist, and that intellectual excellence can open doors to national and global influence. Her participation would inspire women to embrace research, innovation, and academic leadership, reinforcing the project’s mission to highlight diverse fields of excellence across the continent.
Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female President, is a distinguished diplomat whose leadership symbolizes dignity, balance, and national unity. With decades of experience in the United Nations, she has shaped conversations on peacebuilding, women’s rights, and global cooperation. Her presidency stands as a beacon for gender inclusion in African governance, showing that women can hold the highest offices while maintaining stability and respect across political divides. For the 54Women54Nations project, Sahle-Work Zewde brings intellectual excellence, statesmanship, and a diplomatic perspective that enriches continental representation. Her story inspires African women to aspire to public service, international diplomacy, and nation-building. Highlighting her contributions strengthens the project’s message that African women are capable of leading complex political systems and negotiating with global actors. Her calm leadership reinforces the narrative that women’s voices are essential to peace, development, and the future of African political leadership.
Aminata Touré, former Prime Minister of Senegal, is known across Africa for her bold reforms, commitment to anti-corruption, and unwavering defense of human rights. A trained jurist and respected global advocate for justice, she spent years working with the United Nations before transitioning into high-level political leadership in Senegal. Her tenure emphasized transparency, judicial reform, gender equality, and inclusive economic policies. For the 54Women54Nations initiative, Aminata Touré represents courage, accountability, and political integrity. Her voice strengthens the continental narrative of women who are not afraid to challenge entrenched systems and rebuild institutions for the greater good. She serves as an example for young African women aspiring to careers in law, governance, and activism. Featuring her in the project highlights the importance of ethical leadership and the role of women in shaping stronger, fairer, and more democratic African societies.
Joice Mujuru is one of Zimbabwe’s most historic political figures, celebrated for her role as a liberation heroine and for breaking barriers as the country’s first female Vice President. Known by the liberation name “Teurai Ropa,” she joined the independence struggle at a young age, demonstrating extraordinary courage that shaped the nation’s history. Beyond her military legacy, Mujuru is recognized for her long political career, where she championed rural development, agriculture, and women’s empowerment. For 54Women54Nations, Joice Mujuru’s inclusion adds historical depth and showcases the powerful role women played in liberation movements across Africa. Her story inspires resilience, bravery, and dedication to national progress. Highlighting Mujuru helps younger generations understand that women have long been central to African political evolution. She represents strength, sacrifice, and leadership—qualities essential to building a continental network of women who influence policy, peace, and social transformation.
Luísa Diogo, former Prime Minister of Mozambique, is a distinguished economist and one of Africa’s most respected champions of development policy and economic reform. With a career that spans the World Bank and Mozambique’s Ministry of Finance, she played a central role in rebuilding the nation after years of conflict. Diogo is widely admired for her commitment to poverty reduction, good governance, and gender equity, ensuring that economic growth translates into social progress. For 54Women54Nations, Luísa Diogo represents strategic economic thinking, responsible governance, and the transformative power of inclusive development. Her leadership shows how African women can shape fiscal policy, national planning, and international negotiations with confidence and clarity. Featuring her in the project underscores the importance of women in economic decision-making and highlights the critical role they play in shaping Africa’s growth trajectory. Diogo’s story inspires future generations to lead with intelligence, fairness, and national commitment.
Zohra Drif is an iconic figure in Algeria’s struggle for independence and one of the most recognized women of the National Liberation Front (FLN). As a young revolutionary, she demonstrated remarkable courage, participating in key resistance operations that challenged French colonial rule. After independence, Drif transitioned into public service, becoming a lawyer, senator, and advocate for social justice and national sovereignty. Her life reflects the powerful role women played in liberation movements across North Africa. For 54Women54Nations, Zohra Drif adds historical prestige and highlights the intersection of female activism, political struggle, and national identity. Her presence in the project inspires African women to stand firm for justice, freedom, and equality. By sharing her legacy, the initiative underscores the contributions of women to Africa’s freedom narratives and broadens the story of leadership beyond politics into courage, sacrifice, and patriotic duty.
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