Uganda’s Rehmah Kasule, Founder, CEDA International, is among the 33 women who made it to the 4th edition CNBC Rising Women Series that celebrates visionaries, leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives across Africa continent who have thrived within their families, communities, and businesses.
Organised by Global Group Media, Rising Woman Africa recognizes exceptional women for their individual efforts have impacted Africa’s political, social, and economic developments, along with the arts, healthcare, finance, and other sectors.
“Women leaders around the world are an example of tenacity and diversity. With the world’s recent and urgent challenges, they continue to work towards a more equitable future that opens doors for women and girls,” said Oni Aningo, Executive Director and Founder, Global Group Media and Creator, Rising Women Series.
Kasule founded CEDA International to empower young girls through education and leadership development. She has mentored over 168,000 women across Africa and has been recognized by President Obama for her efforts in building generations of ethical leaders and entrepreneurs. Kasule is also an accomplished author, her most recent book discussing women’s role during COVID-19.
She is a social innovator, a gender and youth development expert, and a prolific serial entrepreneur who started her first business, a Branding and Marketing firm at 26 years. In 2007, after successfully running her business for ten years, she shifted from building brands to shifting mindsets and founded CEDA International in Uganda. Through her visionary leadership and with funding from US State Department, United Nations Democracy Fund and MacArthur Foundation, Rehmah has successfully designed and implemented projects in girls’ education, youth development, mentorship, women’s leadership, human trafficking, preventing violent extremism, and active citizenship impacting over 168,000 youths and women on the African continent. Her work was recognized by President Barack Obama in 2010 and won several international awards including Fortune and Goldman Sachs Global Women’s Leadership Award 2014, and the Islamic Development Bank Women in Peace & Development in 2018. Rehmah was also named one of the Most Influential African Women in wellfare and civil society in 2016 by CEO Global.
With more than 25 years proven track record, she has delivered expert consultancy in strategic planning, gender mainstreaming, trade and export promotions, policy analysis and management, financial inclusion and private sector development for African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, International Trade Center and United Nations.
She engendered the Uganda’s National Export Strategy with cross-sector strategic plans that built resilient and sustainable frameworks for government ministries and trade agencies to develop inclusive growth that mainstreamed women in trade and increased their participation in male-dominated export sectors. She has also served twice as a Wise Head Judge for the MacArthur Foundation 100&Change, a $100 million competition to help solve a critical social problem. Rehmah serves on boards, including StrongMinds, World Connect Inc. USA, and PANGEA Education Foundation.
Rehmah is a graduate of Peace, Conflict and International Development, an Aspen Leadership Fellow, Senior Synergos Fellow, VVLead Fellow and a Global Ambassador for Let Girls Learn, a Michelle Obama initiative. Her book “From Gomba to the White House” has equipped over 3 million young people with tools to discover who they are, dream big, design goals, develop key skills that lead them to rewarding destinies.
During her Fellowhip, the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University, she designed the PLUS+AFRICA Leadership and Employment Linkubator to create employment pathways for 1 million youth in Africa by 2030. The social venture is focused on the Future of Work, and collaborates with the private sector and governments to strengthen the education-to-work and entrepreneurship eco-systems in Africa.
Rehmah was born a village girl but refused to become a village woman. From a young age, she questioned the discrimination and injustices caused by the gender, religious, racial, and patriarchal cultural norms that impede girls and women from fulfilling their potentials. She strongly believes that education breaks intergenerational cycles of poverty and she is committed to providing opportunities to change life trajectories – one girl at a time.
Others include;
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan
During the first year of her presidency, President Suluhu Hassan—Tanzania’s first female president—has favored a diplomatic approach by traveling around Africa and Europe. Her efforts have paid off: Her administration has secured funding and signed contracts for a series of large contracts, including a $196 concessional loan for bus rapid transit, revamping the international airport, and close to $500 million in EU COVID-19 relief funds. She has also made it a case to appoint more women in key positions. Today, Tanzania has more women cabinet ministers than ever before—with 9 out of 25 ministries led by women.
Ethiopia President Sahle-Work Zewde
Zewde’s victory in the 2018 elections shook Ethiopia, as she became the first woman to hold the office and the only serving female head of state in Africa at the time. Her administration has collaborated with the African Development Bank to encourage development in Ethiopia which, on average, spends approximately 58 percent of its national budget on directly reducing poverty and boosting life expectancy.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General World Trade Organization, Nigeria/Switzerland
A professional with over 30 years of experience in economy and international development, Okonjo-Iweala’s accolades are impressive, with some of the most notable ones being Minister of the Decade (2020), one of 50 Greatest World Leaders (2015), and Top 100 Most Influential People in the World (2014). Through her work with multiple institutions, she has worked to immunize 760 children globally, mobilized financial support to fight COVID-19, and has assisted low-income countries during food and economic crises.
Salwa Abdul Aziz Zein, CEO of the Private Office of H.H Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi Group of Companies, United Arab Emirates/Tanzania
Zein is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having successfully launched and managed several companies in Africa and the Gulf while in her twenties. As CEO, she oversees multiple projects, ranging from port developments, livestock trading, gold brokerage to renewable energy projects.
Kiran Daswani, CEO, The Greens, Ghana
With the goal of providing affordable and quality housing in the region, Daswani founded The Greens, a property development company that develops eco-friendly housing estates located in the Greater Accra Region. She was awarded “Outstanding Business Leader of the Year – Real Estate” at the Ghana Business Standard awards in 2019.
Funke Opeke, CEO MainOne, Nigeria
After working for Verizon in the U.S., Opeke moved back to Nigeria and noticed the low internet connectivity. After securing financing, she founded MainOne in 2008 and led the construction of the region’s first private submarine cable, a 4,400 miles of fiber optic cable connecting Nigeria and Portugal. In early 2022, American firm Equinix acquired MainOne for $320 million.
Adesola Sotande-Peters, CFO, Godrej Consumer Products for Africa, USA, Caribbean & Middle East, Nigeria/Dubai, UAE
Sotande-Peters is not only an experienced finance executive and business leader, but is also a team player: she strives to empower others in the business world to exceed their goals through mentoring and training different talents. She’s successfully worked in multinational markets across different positions, and is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Godrej Consumer Products, a 124 year-”young” company manufacturing, distributing, and marketing fast-moving consumer goods.
Azukaego Chukwuelue, Founder, Truss Foundation, Nigeria
Founded in 2018, the Truss Empowerment Foundation is a woman-led organization that supports and empowers women and girls through mentorships and networking opportunities, training programs, and business support. Drawing from her experience as a senior executive and business leader, Chukwuelue continuously seeks to inspire and support the next generation of Nigerian women leaders.
Naya Powell, Founder & CEO, Utopia Spa & Global Wellness, USA
Utopia SGW is a mission-driven enterprise combating the global burnout epidemic through a tech-enabled platform, providing virtual, live and on-demand multicultural wellness experiences and luxury global retreats including on the continent of Africa. Utopia SGW is revolutionizing wellness worldwide with thought leaders and community members across five continents and is a 2021 Google for Startups Black Founder Fund recipient. Powell is also a #1 bestselling author.
Olayinka Fayomi, Chairwoman, Foreign Investment Network, Nigeria
Aside from her position as the Foreign Investment Network’s Chairwoman, Fayomi is also the founder of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Network and an NGO as well as the European Petroleum Club. Both promote investment opportunities in different industries. She’s also the publisher of the investment journal FIN Magazine, which has over 5,000 subscribers and represents over 5,000 potential investors.
Ambassador Elsie Sia Kanza, Ambassador of Tanzania to Washington, USA
Dr. Kanza has often been recognized for her achievements in advancing economic development, being named one of the 20 Youngest Powerful Women in Africa (2011), 50 Influential Africans in The World (2014), and Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women (2020).
Ngozi Oyewole, CEO, Noxie Limited, Nigeria
Noxie Limited is a world-class office furniture manufacturing company. Oyewole is also a founding member of the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) focused on supporting women in leadership. In addition, Oyewole is the co-founder of Strategic Women and Youth institute (SWYI), an international consortium of professionals generating opportunities for women’s empowerment.
Tambra Raye Stevenson, MPH, Founder/CEO, WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture, USA
Stevenson founded WANDA to build a pipeline for women and girls to lead in building a better food system from America to Africa. Through education, advocacy and innovation, she has been a tireless champion on a mission to change the narrative and image of Black women and girls from farm to health.
Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Nigeria
Prior to joining the foundation, Youssoufou worked with the European Union and the World Bank Group. As CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation, she leads efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and economic empowerment outcomes for the less fortunate in Africa.
Ugandan enterprises urged to explore regional oil and gas opportunitiesDr. Ola Brown, Founder & CEO, Flying Doctors Healthcare Invest Company (FDHIC), Nigeria
Dr. Brown is an entrepreneur and investor that runs the Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company, focused on early-stage companies in healthtech, fintech, and healthcare infrastructure. The value of companies in their portfolio is close to $450 million. She is currently raising her 4th Venture Capital fund and developing a pipeline of healthcare infrastructure projects worth over $200 million.
Ehime Eigbe-Akindele, Founder & CEO, SweetKiwi, USA
When Eigbe-Akindele was told she had to give up ice cream, she launched Sweetkiwi as a way to create her own recipes for a healthier, yet still enjoyable, alternative. After finding success in her native Nigeria, SweetKiwi began selling their products to US stores.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation, Egypt
Appointed to the Senate in 2020, Dr. Kelej is known to be an advocate for women empowerment, having created the campaign “Merck More than a Mother” to break the stigma around infertile and childless women by providing access to information and healthcare. Her campaign gained her recognition for one of the “Most Influential African Women of the Year” in 2019, something she’s accomplished three times.
Katharina Dalka, Founder, StellarOne, UK & Germany
Dalka is the CEO and founder of StellarOne Ltd, a London-based consulting firm providing strategy and investment advisory in tech. With her team, she advises tech investors, financial institutions and corporates in the tech sector in Africa. She is also an executive member of African Women in Fintech and Payment, promoting female expertise on the continent in all subjects related to Fintech.
Bronwyn Nielsen, CEO, The Nielsen Network, Chair Graca Machel Trust, Women in Media, former Editor in Chief & Executive Director, CNBC Africa, South Africa
With more than 25 years of experience in African broadcasting, Nielsen is one of Africa’s most well-known broadcasters. She began her career with CNBC Africa’s launch and since then, she’s been called upon as a moderator by leading businesses. Today, Nielsen works as CEO of The Nielsen Network, a Digital First Company offering consulting services such as crisis and reputation management, and investor relations.
Fleur Tchibota, Communications Director, Africa50 Infrastructure Investment Fund, Morocco
A multilingual communications professional, Tchibota’s experience with PR and brand management in financial services, economic development and telecom sectors helps drive change in the socio-economic transformation of developing countries. In Africa50, Tchibota strives to spread the organization’s message of bridging Africa’s infrastructure funding gap through project development, mobilization of public and private sector finance and investment in infrastructure on the continent.
Zurina Saban, Group General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Africa50 Infrastructure Investment Fund, Morocco
With over 25 years of private sector development finance experience in Africa and emerging markets, Saban joined Africa50 last December as Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. In this role, she is the principal advisor of Africa50 and the Africa50 Board of Directors on all legal and corporate secretariat matters. Prior to joining Africa50, she held several leadership positions at the International Finance Corporation in Washington DC, Egypt, Istanbul, and South Africa and was also the General Counsel of ABSA Corporate and Investment Bank in South Africa.
Guillermina Mekuy, Founder, MEIK Magazine and former Minister of Culture, Equatorial Guinea
In 2012, Mekuy took office as Minister of the Department of Culture and Tourism, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She has also published three novels, and created Editorial MK (platform designed to promote the work of other female writers), Meik magazine, and makeup brand, Clementyne Cosmetics. Mekuy is also President of Women for New World, an international consulting firm bringing together social and business initiatives and commitments.
Dorothy Dottie Liech, Regional Director East Africa, Nordic Global Investment Foundation & Founder, The Premier Plan Agency, Kenya & Denmark
A Private Communications Consultant, with a focus on media relations, international relations and conferencing for government leaders and their organizations, Liech works for both Nordic Global Investment Foundation and Caregore Consulting in supporting and advising project owners and developers.
Moky Makura, Executive Director, Africa No Filter, Nigeria/South Africa
Makura is at the helm of this donor collaborative that supports African storytellers and funds campaigns that catalyze new perspectives about Africa. She is an author, publisher, actress, TV producer and communications expert dedicated to ensuring that Africa doesn’t remain a single story.
Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda
As CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Akamanzi has played a crucial role in accelerating Rwanda’s economic development by continuously finding ways to foster private sector growth. She was named one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women by Forbes in 2020.
Fola Adunola, CEO at Core Capital Group LLC, MD, USA
Adunola co-founded one of Washington DC’s premier real estate development companies. She plays a vital role in helping the company restore homes and beautify local neighborhoods in the DC Metro. Her invaluable negotiation skills have helped the company buy, develop and sell over $50 million of real estate since 2010.
Sheffy Kolade, CEO, Boxes and Baskets LLC, Nigeria
Kolade founded Boxes and Baskets, a promotional and luxury corporate gift company based in Lagos, Nigeria and Houston USA, in 2015. The company offers a hybrid of innovative, locally made and imported products. Sheffy is currently raising $1.6 million to boost its local product offerings and employ over 100 talented locals from under-privileged clusters, producing 5,000 bags, 20,000 t-shirts, 20,000 notebooks and 5,000 boxes monthly which will increase revenue from $2 million in 2021 to about $5.8 million in 2024.
Chisom Udeze, Economist & Founder, HerSpace, Mettle Consult, & Diversify, Norway & Nigeria
The former is a diverse and inclusive co-working space for women and mothers, and the latter is a non-profit that focuses on professional development and mental health and provides immigrants with the skills and resources they need to thrive. Through her consulting company Mettle Consult, Udeze works with SMEs and Intergovernmental Organizations to drive sustainable projects in West and East Africa.
Chioma “Chigul” Omeruah: MC/ Entertainer/ Actress & Producer, Nigeria
Chigul was nominated last year for the Most Popular Media personality in the Net Honors Awards. She’s known for her accents and comedic characters.
Yasmine Berrada, Co-founder, Loft Art Gallery, Morocco
Inspired by her father’s collection of Moroccan art, Berrada founded the Loft Art Gallery along with her sister Myerim at 25 years old. The Loft Art Gallery promotes the modern and contemporary art scene in Africa, and is driven by a desire to expand international knowledge on the continent.
Yvonne Ebbi, Lead consultant & CEO, The Etiquette Place, Nigeria
Yvonne’s mission is to change the attitude narrative in corporate Nigeria and improve the perception index in Africa. Yvonne has partnered with over 100 organizations increasing their Social Intelligence Quotient. Her iFINESSE initiative, a CSR, distributes over one million Etiquette handbooks to public schools in Nigeria. Yvonne’s #SheSpark initiative is a virtual community of professional women who are becoming global brands and influencers.
Isoken Nwabunka, Executive Director of Administaton, The Grooming Center, Nigeria
At the Grooming Center for Empowering People, our mission is to empower the economically active poor communities by taking a range of tailor-made microfinance services to their doorstep using globally tested best-practice methodologies.
About Global Group Media
Global Group Media is one of the fastest growing media companies focused on producing country and industry related reports on emerging markets and the world’s leading countries, thereby providing global audience with a macro-economic overview of international business. Their reports are based on interviews with C+ Suite executives and political leaders, with a focus and celebration of Thought Leaders; innovators, inventors, thinkers, problem solvers and drivers of a nation and its industries’ growth and development. The idea is that emerging economies in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean should be able to tell their stories on history, culture, economy, and politics, as these important variables determine their current situations and defines their respective future.