The list, published on Forbes’ website on Wednesday, honours women who hold significant positions in business, politics, culture, and international leadership. Okonjo-Iweala is ranked 92nd, while Mo Abudu occupies the 98th spot.
Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is the first woman and the first African to hold the position, which she assumed in March 2021. Forbes describes her as “an economist and international development professional” with over three decades of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. She previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006. She also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised more than 760 million children worldwide.
Abudu, ranked 98th, is a media entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of EbonyLife Media. She launched EbonyLife TV in 2006, which now broadcasts to over 49 countries, including the UK and Caribbean. Forbes credits her for securing strategic partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix—the first African media company to sign a multi-title agreement with the streaming giant. In November 2025, EbonyLife launched its new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
This year’s Forbes list also highlights women making waves in technology and AI, including Lisa Su (AMD), Ruth Porat (Alphabet), Colette Kress (Nvidia), Susan Li (Meta), and Amy Hood (Microsoft). Other notable figures in entertainment, business, and media feature alongside Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu.
