Forbes 2025: Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu Ranked Among World’s Most Powerful Women

Two globally recognised Nigerian leaders, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been named among Forbes’ 2025 list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, reinforcing their influence in international trade, governance, media and entertainment.

The annual ranking, released on Wednesday, highlights women shaping global decision-making in politics, business, technology and culture. Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu appear alongside high-profile world figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (No. 1), European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5), and Namibia’s Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (No. 79).

Okonjo-Iweala, ranked No. 92, has served as Director-General of the World Trade Organization since 2021, becoming the first woman and first African to lead the institution. Forbes describes her as an economist and international development expert with over three decades of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Before joining the WTO, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister between 2003 and 2006, and again from 2011 to 2015 and briefly as Foreign Affairs Minister in 2006.

She later chaired the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, overseeing programmes that have immunised more than 760 million children worldwide. A Harvard and MIT alumna, she is celebrated for advocating global trade reforms that support developing nations and promote inclusive economic growth.

Media mogul Mo Abudu, ranked No. 98, is recognised for her growing impact in global entertainment. The EbonyLife Media founder has built one of Africa’s most influential content companies, with partnerships spanning Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks and Netflix. EbonyLife was the first African studio to secure a multi-title film and TV deal with the streaming giant.

Abudu, who launched EbonyLife TV in 2006, now distributes content to audiences in more than 49 countries including regions in Europe and the Caribbean. In November 2025, the company expanded its digital footprint with the rollout of its streaming app, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Forbes describes her as “one of the most influential women in global media.”

This year’s list also reflects the rising prominence of women in technology and artificial intelligence, featuring leaders such as AMD CEO Lisa Su (No. 10), Alphabet’s President and CIO Ruth Porat (No. 12), Nvidia CFO Colette Kress (No. 37), Meta CFO Susan Li (No. 41), and Microsoft’s Amy Hood (No. 16). The ranking also includes Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei (No. 73), now among self-made billionaires after the company’s valuation reached $183 billion, and OpenAI’s CFO Sarah Friar (No. 50).

In entertainment, American entrepreneur Kim Kardashian (No. 71) earned her spot following a $225 million fundraising round for Skims, which hit a $5 billion valuation, and the launch of NikeSKIMS in collaboration with Nike. The women behind Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters (No. 100) were also recognised for their cultural impact and cross-generational reach.