African Women Who Fought for Economic Development
3 women in the archive worked for economic development. They came from different countries and different centuries, but each of them saw a wrong that others accepted and set out to change it. Read their stories to see how the same cause looked from very different lives.
3 women in the archive
ContemporaryJoyce Banda
Malawian politician who became the first female president of Malawi and only the second female head of state in African history. She rose from humble beginnings to lead a country through a genuine economic crisis, and never stopped fighting for women and girls.
ModernLuisa Diogo
Mozambique's first female Prime Minister (2004–2010). Economist who led post-war economic policy and debt relief; one of Africa's most prominent female heads of government.
ContemporaryObiageli Ezekwesili
Nigerian economist, public servant, and global advocate for education and accountability. Co-founder of Transparency International Nigeria, Vice President of the World Bank for Africa, and Nigeria's Federal Minister of Education. Co-launched the #BringBackOurGirls campaign in 2014 after the Chibok kidnappings, a global movement that changed how the world talks about violence against girls.