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By Sibongile Mqakayi, Executive Vice President: Chief of Growth, Weber Shandwick Africa 

In boardrooms across the continent, the conversation around women in leadership and top positions is no longer a question of capability. It is now one of opportunity, access, and structural change. I have experienced the leadership journey in both agency and corporate settings, which is rarely linear and even less equitable. 

Women, particularly women of colour, continue to negotiate a labyrinth of deeply rooted obstacles. The journey remains arduous, hindered by a scarcity of mentorship opportunities, underlying biases, and disparities in representation within executive roles.  In fact, the findings of the Africa Gender Index 2023 Analytical Report show that women in Africa score just 50.3% in equality across economic, social, and public representation areas, representing a slight improvement from the 48% score in 2019. 

However, it is not insurmountable. The moment has arrived to dismantle ceilings but also to demolish the very scaffolding that maintains women in top positions.  Our resilience in the presence of these obstacles is not only commendable but also motivating. 

When I entered the communications industry two decades ago, I was driven by the notion that strategic storytelling could shape narratives and, ultimately, influence the future. That conviction still fuels me today. The purpose is not soft power. It is strategic muscle. Women leaders must harness their purpose to spark movements rather than just fleeting moments. In a business world that prizes results, purpose is what sustains resilience when the stakes are high. According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, published by the World Economic Forum, Rwanda is the only African economy to achieve full parliamentary parity, with South Africa at 81% and Cape Verde at 80%, closely behind.   

We must own our stories, our complexity, our ambition, and our value. We must stop apologising for having a voice or for choosing to use it. Leadership is not about following the prevalent model. The future belongs to leaders who centre people, use empathy to drive impact, and compel performance with clarity and conviction. These are not traits unique to women. They are hallmarks of astute leadership. Embracing this strategic approach allows us to lead with confidence and control. 

Throughout my career, I have observed that women thrive when they are given the freedom to lead authentically. That authenticity is not a weakness; it is a competitive edge. It creates cultures that attract talent, foster loyalty, and deliver results. As leaders, we must set the bar rather than meet it. We must also mentor generously, open doors deliberately, and raise our hands. We also need our male allies who recognise that gender equality in leadership benefits entire organisations and societies.

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One of the most pervasive myths sold to women in business is that success must come at the expense of their self. In truth, strategy, not sacrifice, is the driving force behind sustainable growth. It is about working smarter rather than longer, setting boundaries without feeling guilty, and prioritising value over volume. To help women advance in business, we need equal access to stretch assignments, profit and loss accountability, and executive visibility. We must be present in the rooms where decisions are made not as guests but as hosts. Furthermore, we must assist in designing those rooms so that more women can enter. 

Intention alone is insufficient to effect change. It necessitates a decisive, systemic response. Businesses must invest in sponsorship, not just mentorship. Leaders must be held accountable for inclusive succession planning. And we must start measuring transformation not by compliance but by consequence. This systemic transformation is not only necessary but also promising. It’s the promise of a better future for women in business leadership. 

I’m proud to be part of a generation of women rewriting the script. We aren’t begging for space; we’re creating it. We challenge systems, redefine success, and insist on equity as a fact. To every woman navigating leadership in Africa: you’re not alone. Stand tall, be strategic, and speak the truth even when your voice shakes. Your voice is necessary; your presence is transformative. The barriers were never designed to withstand our collective rise. 

Sibongile Mqakayi is the Executive Vice President: Chief of Growth at Weber Shandwick Africa 

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