There’s something electric about a list like this. Not just names on a page, but a constellation of women – 25 of them – each lighting up a different corner of the world with ambition, purpose, and impact.
In celebration of its anniversary and in observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) has unveiled its 2026 Global Top 100 Under 40. And this year, women aren’t just included, they are unmistakably centered.
Across politics, business, media, and activism, these 25 women represent a rising global force: bold, strategic, and deeply committed to reshaping systems that were never designed with them in mind.
As MIPAD CEO Jonathan Olufowobi noted, this generation is not waiting for permission, they are building legacies in real time.
And if this list tells us anything, it’s this: the future isn’t approaching. These 25 women are already running it.
See the list of women honorees below:
Politics and Governance
Aysha Aliyu Hamu, Lawyer | Democracy, Governance and Development | Global Shaper
Delia Cox, Advisor, Public Dept Management and Project Manager, The Commonwealth
Keit Lima, Sao Paulo Deputy from PSOL, Public School teacher, Favela Activist,
Munirat Antoinette Lecky, Special Assistant, Digital and New Media, Minister of Steel Development
Nadia Ahmed Abdalla, Director Africa Communications, CorpsAfrica
Princess Bright, UK’s Youngest Female Mayor, Mayor of Barking and Dagenham
Zaina Adamu, Deputy Director of Communications, United States Congress
Business and Entrepreneurship
Amanda Graciano, Trama Founder, AI Business Strategies, LinkedIn TopVoice, Speaker, Consultant
Ariana McAuley, Operations Lead, Office of the Global Chair, Deloitte
Ayomide Jones, Business Development Manager, Equinix, West Africa
Eduvie Martin, Group Communications and Engagement Manager, BAT
Fatima Dangote, Group Executive Director for Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited
Katherine Gansallo, Global Diversity and Inclusion Director, London Stock Exchange
Yemi Oluseun, Integration and Transformation Program Director, The Change Hive
Media & Culture
Jade Osiberu, Award-winning Filmmaker
Jennifer Zabasajja, Chief Africa Correspondent and Anchor, Bloomberg TV
Sheniece Charway, Head, Black Music and Culture EMEA, YouTube
Temi Otedola, Actress and Blogger
Activism & Humanitarian
Diarra Boubacar, First foreigner to Complete a PhD in China
Haben Tekle Abrha, Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, Advocate for Women’s Leadership in Diplomacy
Layal Tinubu, Noella Foundation
Lydia Nylander, Division Director, USAID
Nicole (Namwezi) Batumike, Gender and Responsible Sourcing Specialist, Panzi Hospital and Foundation
Rianna Patterson, Speaker, Founder of Dominica Dementia Foundation
Tatiana Mendes, Athlete & Free Diving Champion
