Despite efforts to bridge the gender gap in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, progress has slowed significantly, leaving many women at a disadvantage compared to men. However, across the continent, inspirational women are refusing to accept stagnation, dedicating themselves to driving real change and accelerating the fight for gender equality.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March and its theme of “Accelerate Action,” KFC Africa has compiled a list of 54 remarkable women who are actively working to empower and uplift others. These women are making bold strides in education, mentorship, and advocacy, pushing the boundaries to help more women achieve success, together and faster.
This latest initiative builds on KFC Africa’s impactful 2024 International Women’s Day campaign, which introduced its inaugural list of 53 “female firsts” – trailblazers who overcame societal, financial, and educational barriers to achieve historic milestones in their respective countries.
For 2025, KFC Africa has expanded its recognition to 54 women—one for each year of the company’s presence on the continent. Drawn from the 22 Sub-Saharan African nations where KFC operates, the list features pioneers like Dior Fall Sow, Senegal’s first female prosecutor; Nelly Mutti, Zambia’s first female speaker of parliament; and Adelaide Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, the first woman to lead Lesotho’s central bank.
This year’s list places a strong emphasis on young innovators who are redefining industries, particularly in the tech space, proving that talent and ambition have no age or gender limits. Among them is Christine Ogo from Côte d’Ivoire, a physicist who has inspired thousands of young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Malawi’s Rachel Sibande, founder of the country’s first technology incubator, has empowered 92,000 women and children with coding skills. Similarly, Regina Honu from Ghana has led the Tech Needs Girls movement, training over 20,000 women and girls in coding.
By amplifying the voices of these changemakers, KFC Africa is shining a light on the women who are accelerating action towards equality, proving that when barriers are broken, opportunities flourish for generations to come.
