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By Topco Media
By definition, an influencer is someone who has a large number of committed and engaged followers on social media—they have the ability to influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on their social media platforms.
The influence culture continues to grow on the continent, with many young people making a mark for themselves in this rapidly growing market. Over the years, we’ve seen a sharp rise of influencers in Africa, with many young people collaborating with local and international brands.
Here, Standard Bank Top Women Leaders takes a look at the top female influencers in Africa – having broadened the lens to include top female business women who are aspirational icons.
Mihlali Ndamase, South Africa
*Quote:* “I overcame being exploited by brands by learning the ins and outs of the business and building authentic relationships.”
Opening the list of the top female influencers in Africa is Mihlali Ndamase. The 26-year-old from Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, started her influencer journey on YouTube. She is one of the biggest South African YouTubers and social media influencers.
The professional makeup artist has more than 2.1 million followers on Instagram, more than 1.2 million followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) and over 430,000 subscribers on YouTube.
She made it to the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list in 2021, and she was the first South African face of the prestigious Swedish brand, Daniel Wellington. The YouTube sensation and vlogger also founded Malakyt, a beauty and fashion specialists platform that helps people find beauticians in their area, thus empowering other young business owners in the beauty industry. Over the years, Mihlali has collaborated with big international and local brands for content focusing on beauty, lifestyle, and travel.
Touching on challenges she’s encountered over the years, Mihlai told Topco Media that she’s experienced being exploited by brands, not being taken seriously in boardrooms when first starting out, and having to ‘name your price’ as a young black creative because you are intimidated by the industry.
“I overcame this by learning the ins and outs of the business, taking time to build authentic business relationships with my sponsors, having a team of trusted individuals around me, and investing in myself to build a credible brand. As a young creative, it’s easy to get lost in the money and hype that come with being an influencer. I have used my resources to plough back into my business.”
Follow her on:
Twitter:@mihlalii_n
Instagram:mihlalii_n
YouTube:@MihlaliN
Charity Ekezie, Nigeria
*Quote:* “I decided to change stereotypes about Africa by educating people through my videos.”
A journalist by profession, Charity is a content creator and a brand influencer based in Nigeria. She’s passionate about Africa, and her TikTok platform proves this as she continues to inform and educate the global audience about the African continent, which she says is not covered in mainstream media.
She was the TikTok Top Creator 2022 Sub-Saharan Africa Runner-Up last year. The awards are TikTok’s way of recognising storytellers, creativity, and the great influence that all creators bring to the TikTok community.
She has more than 3.1 million followers, and 72.9 million likes on TikTok; over 611,000 subscribers on YouTube and 356,000 on Instagram. “ I found out there are so many unnecessary stereotypes about Africa all over the world, and I decided to change that by making my videos a way to educate people about things they didn’t know about Africa.”
Follow her on:
Tiktok: @charityekezie
YouTube:@CharityEkezie
Instagram: itssucrepea
Read the Standard Bank Top Women Leaders publication here. It is your guide to South Africa’s Top Gender Empowered Companies
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While we celebrate the young, most influential women in Africa, we believe that there are many inspiring top businesswomen that young women continue to learn from. We look at powerful business women across different sectors on the continent.
Dr. Jennifer Riria, Kenya
*Quote:* “I strive for results in creating an inclusive society where girls and women have full rights.”
*Degree:* Doctorate in Business Administration
A business mogul in Kenya, Dr. Jennifer Riria is the group CEO of Echo Network Africa (ENA) (formerly known as Kenya Women Holding). ENA is a women-led development organisation that engages in initiatives that empower, position, and advocate for women. The organisation has a vision of an inclusive society in which girls and women have full rights and participate completely in society’s life.
A matriarch of a large family following her parents’ deaths, she is described as a “transformative leader who strives for results.” She has held numerous other leadership positions for which she has been recognised both locally and globally, and she was listed in the 50 Over 50 List of Africa’s Female Powerhouses by Forbes in 2023.
Professor Glenda Gray, South Africa-
*Quote:* “I’ve transformed grant funding, improved support for young scientists, and progressed scientific research.”
*Degree:* Medical degree and postgraduate qualifications
Prof. Glenda Gray is a powerful leader in the field of medical and scientific research. She is the first female President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). During the COVID-19 pandemic, she chaired the Research Committee on COVID-19, providing scientific facts and expertise to the Minister of Health and the National Coronavirus Command Council. She is a force to be reckoned with, and she, according to SAMRC, is the primary force behind SAMRC financing in general and specifically for COVID-19. She was named one of the most powerful women in Africa by Forbes.
“In her first five-year tenure at the helm of the SAMRC, the organisation experienced five consecutive clean audits, transformed grant funding initiatives that significantly improved funding for young scientists, black African scientists, and women, and established key collaborations and partnerships that will significantly progress scientific research,” – SAMRC.
Nolitha Fakude, South Africa
*Quote:* “The future of mining depends on building an industry that is truly inclusive, internationally competitive, and draws on the talents of women.”
*Degree:* Master’s degree in Business Leadership
A powerhouse in the mining sector, Nolitha Fakude is the president of the Minerals Council South Africa and Group Director of Anglo-American plc South Africa. While women are still underrepresented in the mining industry, Nolitha is among the pioneers breaking the cycle and paving the way for many young women who want to be part of the sector.
It was only two years ago when Nolitha Fakude made history and was appointed as the first female president of the Minerals Council South Africa in the organisation’s 131-year history.
This moment was described as a watershed occasion and a testament to Fakude’s fortitude and leadership capability by the CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa, Roger Baxter.
“I am certain that she will leave an indelible mark on the industry and a material leadership contribution in the years ahead.
“One thing that has been such a great asset to the industry is the very high calibre of leadership of women and men from our Board who are willing to step forward and play key leadership roles as Office Bearers in the Minerals Council. These leaders have a profound impact on the future direction of the mining industry and the country. I look forward to working with Nolitha and the Office Bearer team in the year ahead,” he said.
She called on mining companies to prioritise their commitment to furthering the involvement of women in all aspects of the South African mining industry.
She emphasised that the future of mining depends on them committing themselves to building an industry that is “truly inclusive, internationally competitive, and draws on the talents of women—now and in the future.”
Wendy Luhabe, South Africa
*Quote:* “We have a shared responsibility to build a critical mass of women in all industries and at all levels.”
*Degree:* Master’s degree in Business Administration
When you talk about pioneers in the economic empowerment of women in Africa, particularly South Africa, Wendy Luhabe’s name is at the centre of them. Wendy started a Women’s Venture Capital Fund to provide women businesses with access to capital and business intelligence, and she is considered to be one of the most successful and prominent women in South Africa.
Over the past 20 years, she has chaired and served on a variety of boards in South Africa and abroad, including being the founding Chair of South Africa’s International Marketing Council, which was founded by President Mbeki more than a decade ago. She is a financial activist, a supporter of social entrepreneurship, and a mentor to future generations. She has received many accolades for her incredible work and contribution to empowering women.
Speaking to Top Women Leaders, Wendy called for investment in developing women’s ability to take risks, to travel the road less travelled, to become game changers, and to make sure that when given an opportunity to do anything, we use it as a stepping stone for greater prospects for ourselves and other women.
“We have a shared responsibility to build a critical mass of women in all industries and at all levels. That can only be achieved if we create opportunities for women, if we mentor women, and if we challenge women to create the circumstances they need to succeed and to rise to the occasions that are available for them. Selling ourselves short does not serve the world.”
Sources: Forbes| SAMRC|lionesses of africa|
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