The 20 Youngest Power African Women

Ory Okolloh -- Kenyan. Co-founder, Ushahidi

A Harvard-trained lawyer, activist and blogger, Kenyan-born Ory Okolloh spearheaded the founding of Ushahidi, a revolutionary crowd souring utility which enables citizen journalists and eyewitnesses all over the world to report incidences of violence through the web, mobile E-mail, SMS, and Twitter. Earlier this year, Okolloh assumed a new position as Google’s Policy Manager for Africa, and she is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential women in global technology.

Khanyi Dhlomo -- South African. Media Mogul

She is one of South Africa’s most respected media moguls. The South African media mogul owns Ndalo Media, which publishes Destiny Magazine and Destiny Man, two thriving high-end magazines that combine business and lifestyle content to cater to successful, professional, stylish and intellectually curious men and women.

Phuti Malabie (In the middle) -- South African. CEO, Shanduka Group

In 2008, the Wall Street Journal named Phuti as one of the top 50 women in the world to watch, and in 2007, she was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Global Young Leader. Malabie currently serves as CEO of the Shanduka Group; one of South Africa’s largest African black owned and managed investment holding companies.

Saran Kaba Jones -- Liberian. Founder, Face Africa

A Liberian national, Saran Kaba Jones is the founder of Face Africa, a non-profit organization that provides access to clean and safe drinking water for rural communities in Liberia, using an innovative social enterprise model to fund water projects. Face Africa was launched in 2009, and has provided clean water to thousands of rural Liberians.

Julie Gichuru -- Kenyan. Journalist & Broadcaster

One of Kenya’s most popular veteran journalists, with over 11 years experience in broadcast, print and online media. She is currently an executive of Citizen TV, Kenya, and is a recipient of the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness Award.

Juliet Ehimuan -- Nigerian. Google country manager, Nigeria

In April, Nigerian-born Ehimuan was appointed as Google’s Country manager for Nigeria. Tough job: As head of Google’s operations in Africa’s largest internet-user community, she is charged with the responsibility of representing the company in all its business development projects and partnership opportunities in the region.

Stella Kilonzo -- Kenyan. Chief Executive, Capital Markets Authority, Kenya

Ever since 2008, Kilonzo, a trained accountant and administrator, has served as the Chief Executive of Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority.

June Arunga -- Kenyan. Founder, Open Quest Media

In 2010, Fast Company named June Arunga as one of the 100 most creative people in business. Arunga is the founder and Chief Executive of Open Quest Media, a successful multimedia production company based in New York.

Yolanda Cuba -- South African. Former CEO, Mvelaphanda Group

When Yolanda Cuba was only 29, she was appointed CEO of Mvelaphanda Group, a JSE-Listed conglomerate. She stepped down last year, but still remains one of South Africa’s most respected and sought-after business leaders. She serves on the boards of South African blue-chips like ABSA, Steinhoff and Life Healthcare.

Magatte Wade -- Senegal. Founder, Adina World Beat Beverages

The Senegalese entrepreneur founded Adina World Beat Beverages, a manufacturer of tea, coffee and juice beverages. The company is based in California, and boasted revenues of close to $2.5 million in 2010. Wade is a TED Global Africa Fellow.

Chimamanda Adichie -- Nigerian. Writer

One of Africa’s leading contemporary literary voices, the Award-winning Nigerian writer has been heralded as a rebirth of the African literary greats- the likes of Chinua Achebe, Camara Laye and Cyprian Ekwensi. In 2006, her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun won the coveted Orange Prize, and Chinua Achebe (widely regarded as the father of African literature) said of Adichie: She’s “endowed with the gift of ancient storytellers…”

Ndidi Nwuneli -- Nigerian. Founder, LEAP Africa

Ndidi founded LEAP Africa- a leading nonprofit which provides social entrepreneurs, youth and small scale business owners with leadership training and executive coaching services. She is also a co-founder of AACE Foods, a Nigerian food processor. Ndidi is one of the world’s leading authorities on social entrepreneurship and in 2004, was bestowed with the national honor, Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian President at the time, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Funmi Iyanda- Nigerian. Broadcaster & Journalist

Iyanda is a multi-award-winning Journalist, broadcaster and blogger. She is the host of Talk With Funmi, a highly popular TV show which journeys Nigeria, from state to state, capturing people and conversations around the country. She is an African Leadership Institute Tutu Fellow and a fellow of the ASPEN Institute’s African Leadership Initiative.

Dambisa Moyo - Zambian. Economist

The Zambian-born economist and New York Times international best-selling author remains one of Africa’s most vocal advocates for the abolition of foreign aid. In March 2011, during the annual Observance ceremony in commemoration of the Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey, Moyo addressed an audience of over 2000 important guests including the Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister David Cameron. She sits on the board of Barclays Bank, SABMiller and Lundin Petroleum.

Isis Nyongo -- Kenyan. Managing Director, InMobi Africa

Isis Nyongo is the Vice President and Managing Director of InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile advertising network. Prior to her appointment earlier this year, Isis was served as the Business Development Manager for Google’s operation in Africa. She spearheaded mobile partnerships and played a pivotal role in the development of Google’s content strategy in Africa.

Olga Kimani-Arara. Kenyan, Google Country Manager, Kenya

Olga serves as Google’s local spokesperson in Kenya, representing the company in all of its business development projects and partnership opportunities in the region, and serves as the voice of the Kenyan user at Google.

Elsie Kanza- Tanzanian. Economic Advisor To Tanzania's President

Kanza is currently a Personal assistant, and an Economic Adviser to the President of Tanzania. She’s been selected by the World Economic Forum as a Global Young Leader.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu. Ethiopian, Founder, Sole Rebels

Ethiopian-born entrepreneur was recently acknowledged as the ‘African Businesswoman of the year’ by African Business Magazine, a leading Pan African business magazine. She is the founder of Sole Rebels, a brand of eco-friendly shoes and sandals made in Ethiopia. She was also acknowledged as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, earlier on this year.

Source: Forbes