Nigeria’s Biola Alabi & Florence Iwegbue Make Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women In Africa 2012 List +The Full List

As Africa continues to rise, so do African women. With the upward economic, social and political trajectory of the continent, a new breed of African women continues to emerge. So much so, that the African Union christened the years 2010 to 2020 as the “African Women’s Decade”.

Last year Forbes readers were introduced to a remarkable group of the 20 Youngest Power Women In Africa, heralding a new wave of African women taking control of their economic, social and political destinies. Here are the 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa for 2012, all under age 45, shaping the narrative of the continent’s rising. 

Florence Iwegbue and her family

And now the good news is that Nigerians made the list, Nigerian Attorney and co-founder of Live Wello, Florence Iwegbue makes the 6th position. After her son was diagnosed with autism, the UK-trained attorney and her physician husband, a self-taught software developer, built LiveWello to support their Austic son’s health while harnessing the best elements of their African culture – village life.

 Biola Alabi

Managing director of MNet Africa, Biola Alabi, also makes  at the 11th position as one of the continent’s most powerful women in media. Honoured as a 2012 young global leader by World Economic Forum, Forbes says Biola Alabi has been at the forefront of the expansion of the AfricaMagic channels brand across the continent.

Forbes 20 Young Power Women in Africa 2012 – The Full List

1. Leymah Gbowee, Liberia, Peace and Women’s Rights Activist
2. Cina Lawson, Togo, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Togo
3. Juliana Rotich, Kenya, Co-Founder Ushahidi
4. Patience Mthunzi, PhD. South Africa, Senior Scientist, CSIR
5. Maud Chifamba, Zimbabwe, 14-year old University Accounting Student
6. Florence Iwegbue, Nigeria, Attorney & Co-Founder, LiveWello
7. Lisa Opoku Busumbru, Ghana, Chief Operating Officer, Goldman Sachs
8. Leila Lopes, Angola, 2011 Miss Universe
9. Isha Sesay, Sierra Leone, News Anchor & Journalist, CNN
10. Rainatou Sow, Guinea, Women’s Right Activist, Founder & Executive Director, Make Every Woman Count
11. Biola Alabi, Nigeria, Managing Director, MNET Africa
12. Lorna Rutto, Kenya, Sustainable Living and Green Technology Entrepreneur, Ecopost
13. Yolanda Sangweni, South Africa, Senior Editor/Producer, ESSENCE.com
14. Danai Gurira, Zimbabwe, Actress & Writer
15. Eunice Cofie, Ghana, Founder & Chief Cosmetic Chemist, Nuekie
16. Marieme Jamme, Senegal, Social Entrepreneur, Technologist & CEO, SpotOne Global Solutions
17. Jepchumba, Kenya, Digital Content Creator, Cultural Curator, African Digital Art
18. Redi Tlhabi, South Africa, Journalist, Broadcaster & Author
19. Swaady Martin-Leke, Ivory Coast, Entrepreneur & Founder, Yswara
20. Jacqueline Chimhanzi, PhD. Zimbabwe, Corporate Executive

The list was compiled by South African TV producer and entrepreneur, Farai Gundan for Forbes. Read all about the 20 young power women in Africa on Forbes’ website.

What your thought about these young women that made the list? Is anybody missing on this list?