Business leadership across Africa is being reshaped by women who are building enterprises, expanding opportunities, and influencing economic systems. This edition spotlights Ibukun Awosika, the Ford Foundation, and Temie Giwa-Tubosun.
Woman of Impact
Ibukun Awosika — Nigeria
“Entrepreneurship… is a vehicle of liberation.” — Ibukun Awosika, interview with THISDAY
Ibukun Awosika is one of Africa’s most influential business leaders, known for transforming Nigeria’s furniture industry through The Chair Centre Group and becoming the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria.
Her journey reflects resilience, purpose, and value-driven leadership. Awosika has consistently emphasised that business is not just about profit but about solving problems and creating opportunities that uplift communities.
Beyond corporate leadership, she is deeply committed to mentoring young entrepreneurs, particularly women, equipping them with the skills and confidence to build sustainable enterprises. Through initiatives like the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, she has helped shape a new generation of African business leaders.
Awosika’s influence lies in her ability to combine enterprise with impact—demonstrating that when women succeed in business, they empower economies and transform societies.
Organisation of Impact
Ford Foundation
“We believe in the inherent dignity of all people.” — Ford Foundation mission statement
The Ford Foundation is a leading global institution advancing economic inclusion, social justice, and equitable development. Through its grant-making and partnerships, the foundation supports initiatives that expand opportunities for marginalized communities, including women entrepreneurs across Africa.
In the business ecosystem, the Ford Foundation has funded programmes promoting women’s economic empowerment, access to finance, and inclusive markets. Its work supports policy reforms and institutions that enable small businesses to grow and thrive.
Across Africa, the foundation collaborates with governments, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen economic resilience. By prioritising equity and inclusion, it continues to create pathways for women to participate fully in business, reinforcing the role of entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development.
Young Woman of Impact
Temie Giwa-Tubosun — Nigeria
“No woman should die giving life.” — Temie Giwa-Tubosun, speaking on maternal health advocacy
Temie Giwa-Tubosun is a dynamic entrepreneur transforming healthcare access through innovation. She is the founder of LifeBank, a company that uses technology and logistics to deliver essential medical supplies such as blood and oxygen to hospitals.
Her work sits at the intersection of business and social impact, addressing critical gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system while building a scalable enterprise. Through LifeBank, she has helped save thousands of lives by ensuring timely access to life-saving resources.
Giwa-Tubosun represents a new generation of African entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to solve systemic challenges. By combining business acumen with social purpose, she is redefining what it means to build impactful, mission-driven enterprises in Africa.
