La Mode 100 Most Influential Leading African Women 2025 Event Shines a Spotlight on Empowerment in London

Daniel Usidamen

3 days ago

On Saturday, March 8th, the La Mode 100 Most Influential Leading African Women 2025 event lit up London—not just with glamour, but with something much deeper. The brought together influential leading women who were treated to an evening that went beyond glamour, showcasing a vibrant celebration of resilience, empowerment, and cultural pride.

With the theme “Accelerate Action,” the night encouraged everyone to push for change and to work harder for goals that matter. It reminded us that while we have come a long way, there is still much more to be done.

La Mode celebrated many amazing women, such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria, Nomzamo Mbatha from South Africa, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Nigeria and, along with many others like Mimi Linda Yina (MedlinBos), Dr Zel, Miranda David, Blessing Lucky Ajah, Dr. Ebigbagha Rita Chika, Jose Hendo, Victory Ifeoma Njoku (Vickheldan) and Dr. Maryam Elisha, who have shown what is possible through hard work and determination times and times.

A standout moment came from former Washington State Senator Mona Das, who received a Special Recognition Award. Her heartfelt speech resonated deeply with the guests.

Bunmi Ademokoya in an interview spoke about how, even though women are having the right conversations, it was still a man’s world. And the most important role a man can play is to actually speak up about the importance of women in leadership, in any field, at any table.

This year’s attendees stepped out in some seriously beautiful custom designs, from Medlin Couture and Adebayo Jones Luxury to Cutties & Sparkus Designs.

Here’s a full list of the names that made the list below:

· Ada Nduka Oyom (Nigeria)
· Adama Amanda Ndiaye (Senegal)
· Adut Akech (South Sudan/Australia)
· Alaa Salah (Sudan)
· Andrea Dumebi Iyamah (Nigeria)
· Angélique Kidjo (Benin)
· Anok Yai (South Sudan/United States)
· Apostle Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
· Arunma Oteh (Nigeria)
· Aya Chebbi (Tunisia)
· Betelhem Dessie (Ethiopia)
· Bidemi Zakariyau Akande (Nigeria)
· Bertina Engelbrecht (South Africa)
· Bishop Funke Felix-Adejumo (Nigeria)
· Blessing Lucky Ajah (Nigeria)
· Bridgette Radebe (South Africa)
· Caster Semenya (South Africa)
· Chioma Akpotha (Nigeria)
· Chioma Ikokwu (Nigeria)
· Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina (Nigeria)
· Chika Madubuko (Nigeria)
· Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)
· Clare Akamanzi (Rwanda)
· Cynthia Nwadiora (Nigeria)
· Damilola Ogunbiyi (Nigeria)
· Damilola Odufuwa (Nigeria)
· Dineo Lioma (South Africa)
· Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid (Egypt)
· Dr. Catherine Nakalembe (Uganda)
· Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo (Nigeria)
· Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria)
· Dr. Nkechi Harry-Ngonadi (Nigeria)
· Dr. Nombasa Tsengwa (South Africa)
· Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Chika Ebigbagha (Nigeria)
· Dr. Vera Songwe (Cameroon)
· Dr. Zelda Kuvo Usman (Nigeria)
· Ebele Iyiegbu (Nigeria)
· Elizabeth Elohor Isiorho (Nigeria)
· Ethel Delali Cofie (Ghana)
· Ethiopia Habtemariam (Ethiopia/United States)
· Eunice Olumide MBE (Scotland/Nigeria)
· Faith Misozi Mukutu (Zambia)
· Fara Ashiru Jituboh (Nigeria)
· Florence Chikezie (Nigeria)
· Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
· Hajia Bola Muinat Shagaya (Nigeria)
· Her Royal Majesty, Queen Tobi Phillips-Ogunwusi (Nigeria)
· Ibukun Awosika (Nigeria)
· Ifedayo Agoro (Nigeria)
· Ifeadi Anigbogu (Nigeria)
· Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson (Nigeria)
· Ifiokobong Anthony Akan (Nigeria)
· Ire Aderinokun (Nigeria)
· Jane Karuku (Kenya)
· Jihan Abass (Kenya)
· Joan Okorodudu (Nigeria)
· José Hendo (Uganda/United Kingdom)
· Juliana Rotich (Kenya)
· Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau (Nigeria)
· Leymah Roberta Gbowee (Liberia)
· Lupita Amondi Nyong’o (Kenya)
· Makhosazane “Khosi” Twala (South Africa)
· Maryam Elisha (Nigeria)
· Mayowa Nicholas (Nigeria)
· Mimi Linda Yina (Nigeria)
· Mo Abudu (Nigeria)
· Miranda David (Angola)
· Nadine Ibrahim (Nigeria)
· Nana Akua Addo (Ghana)
· Natascha Viljoen (South Africa)
· Ngozi Onwuchekwa (Nigeria)
· Nomzamo Mbatha (South Africa)
· Nompumelelo ‘Mpumi’ Zikalala (South Africa)
· Nompumelelo Thembekile “Mpumi” Madisa (South Africa)
· Ntombi Felicia Msiza (South Africa)
· Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria)
· Olivia Yacé (Côte d’Ivoire)
· Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele (Nigeria)
· Onoriode Ebiere Ariyo (Nigeria)
· Onyeka Michael-Ugwu (Nigeria)
· Professor Sarah Mbi Enow Anyang Agbor (Cameroon)
· Rebecca Enonchong (Cameroon)
· Rev. Laurie Whetstone-Idahosa (Nigeria)
· Ruth Zaipuna (Tanzania)
· Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania)
· Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria)
· Temilade Openiyi (Nigeria)
· Thuso Nokwanda Mbedu (South Africa)
· Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
· Toyin Ajoke Muyinat Lawani-Adebayo (Nigeria)
· Tsitsi Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe)
· Tyla Laura Seethal (South Africa)
· The Akashinga Rangers (Zimbabwe)
· Vera Akporeha (Nigeria)
· Victory Ifeoma Njoku (Nigeria)
· Yasmin Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
· Yanmo Omorogbe (Nigeria)
· Zanele Matlala (South Africa)
· Zarinah Hassan (Uganda)
· Zozibini “Zozi” Tunzi (South Africa)

Below, we rounded up looks from the night and moments. From Dr. Munirat Antoinette Lecky to Sandra Odige’s effortlessly cool look, here are moments and looks that delivered at the 2025 La Mode Most Influential Leading African Women.