Top 8 Female African Presidents You Ought to Know

Top Female African Presidents

Africa has witnessed the amazing leadership of many female presidents; while some were the best, others did their best to ease the burden of the lead.

These female African presidents have always been remembered because they were among the people who fought against Gender inequality.

These women were able to triumph in the struggle for respect and gender equality in African society, creating an inspiring and awe-catching story that will be heard for a very long time, even after their death.

Women like Catherine Samba, Slyvie Kiningi, Joyce Hilda Banda and many others have served as presidents and heads of state in their various African countries. Keep reading to get the full gist.

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Although some of these women had a backside in their stories, they can inspire future and upcoming young ladies who aspire to take up the mantle of leadership.

If you want to find out who these African female presidents are, you can keep reading to get the full gist.

Top Female African Presidents

The African female presidents and their various countries are listed below, which you should know about.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President in: Liberia

Date Of Birth: October 29, 1938

Years In Office: 2006 -2018

Born in Monrovia in 1938, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the 24th president of Liberia. She was a Liberian politician who served as the Minister of Finance before being elected president in 2006, succeeding Gyude Bryant.

She was an activist campaigning for change in Africa, which led her to the creation of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center for Women and Development, which aimed at liberating women and unleashing the great potential of Africa. She is married to James Sirleaf and has four children.

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President Sahle-Work Zewde

President In: Ethiopia

Date Of Birth: February 21, 1950

Years In Office: October 25, 2018, to date

This woman has served in various positions in the country’s private and public sectors. From 2011 to 2018, she was the Director of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Nairobi when she assumed office as the President of Ethiopia.

Born in February 1950, she has left traces of her goodwill in most areas she has served, both as an Ambassador, Director of UNICEF, and President of her country. Her decision to pardon over 4,000 and 1,500 prisoners in March and April 2020 as the president is a perfect example of her humanitarian service.

President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

President in: Mauritius

Date Of Birth: October 17, 1959

Years In Office: June 5, 2015 to March 23, 2018

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is a politician and biodiversity scientist who became the sixth president of Mauritius on June 5, 2015. She is married to Anwar Fakim and has two children. She is the first female President of Mauritius.

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President Catherine Samba-Panza

President in: Central African Republic

Date Of Birth: June 29, 1954,

Years In Office: January 23, 2014 – March 30, 2016

Catherine Sanba-Panza was the first female president of the Central African Republic, serving as a transitional president from January 23, 2014, to March 30, 2016. She studied both corporate and insurance law and was an advocate for the rights and freedoms of women.

As an Advocate for women’s Rights, she was affiliated with Women Lawyers of Central Africa and fought against gender discrimination and inequality.

She is married to Cyriaque Samba-Panza and has three children.

President Joyce Hilda Banda

President in: Malawi

Date Of Birth: April 12, 1950

Years In Office: April 7, 2012 – May 31, 2014

Born in April 1950 in Malawi, she served in various Public service positions, including Minister of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Service, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Vice President of Malawi. She was later elected President of Malawi in April 2012.

She has Five Children and is married to Roy Kachale (Divorced) and Richard Banda.

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President Sylvie Kinigi

President in Burundi

Date Of Birth: November 24, 1953

Years In Office: October 27, 1993 – February 5, 1994

Sylvie Kinigi was the acting President of Burundi from October 27, 1993, to February 5, 1994; she was the Second African female President and ruled her country at a time when her country was passing through many social and political vices that threatened both her safety and that of other citizens in the country.

During her tenure, the country experienced a failed coup attempt, which shook it, but Sylvie Kinigi was strong-willed and was able to direct the affairs of the government amid the political turmoil. She also served as Prime Minister before she became president.

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President Agnès Monique Ohsan Bellepeau

President in: Mauritius

Date Of Birth: 1942

Years In Office: May 29, 2015 to June 5, 2015

Agnes Monique Ohsan Bellepeau is a journalist and news broadcaster who later became the Fourth vice president of Mauritius and was elected as the acting President from May 29, 2015, to June 2015.

Her political party was the Mauritius Labour Party, and she is married to Yves Joseph Bellepeau.

President Rose Francine Rogombé

President in: Gabon

Date Of Birth: September 20, 1942

Years In Office: June 10, 2009 – October 16, 2009

Rose Francine Rogombe was a notable political figure in her country and was the first elected Senate President. It was during her tenure as Senate President that the country’s president, Omar Bongo, died (on June 8, 2009). Constitutionally, she was the only person fit to serve as president until another President was elected.

She was sworn in on June 10, 2009, and held the office as an acting President until a new president was elected. She stepped down on October 16, 2009, to take up her position as the Senate President of Gabon until February 27, 2015.

Summary

Being among the few women to rule in Africa, these Female African presidents made notable achievements in their country, creating a part for innovation and courageously leading them in the fight against many social and political vices seen during their tenure.

Some of these African Presidents helped liberate their people from oppression caused by bad leadership, and most of them made history as the few females to rule in African countries.